The National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) will hold its fifth ordinary session from July 16 to 18 against a backdrop of critical economic and social conditions, as acknowledged by the authorities themselves in the lead-up to the debates.
More than 80 topics will be discussed by the permanent committees between July 14 and 15, covering issues such as prices, transportation, blackouts, water, and medications, as well as public policies that remain unimplemented or fail due to management errors by the state.
While speaking on the television program Mesa Redonda on Wednesday, July 9, the parliament secretary, Homero Acosta, regarded it as "a difficult moment in a complex context."
Although he acknowledged that President Miguel Díaz-Canel himself recognized the existence of a “crisis in the economic and social order”, he again blamed primarily the U.S. embargo.
The context demands that "we jump over the blockade. We must unleash all our potential to enhance the well-being of our people," said Acosta, as cited by the official portal Cubadebate, without explaining how or when.
He also held the "enemy" responsible for sowing doubts about the representativeness of the deputies, whom he defended
The parliamentary agenda will begin with the swearing-in of about 15 new representatives to fill vacant seats. Subsequently, the so-called Government Plan to Correct Distortions and Revitalize the Economy, which has not yet been made public, will be evaluated.
According to the plan, on July 16, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero will present a report on each objective and goal of that program.
The Minister of Economy himself will present the semiannual report showing setbacks in several indicators, while the Minister of Finance will present the budget settlement for 2024, which reflects high levels of unspent funds, particularly in key investments.
One of the central themes will be the recovery of the national electricity system, which is in a deep crisis characterized, among other aspects, by technological obsolescence, lack of maintenance, and fuel shortages.
The debate will also include institutional and citizen oversight, the functioning of recent laws, and the monitoring of approved policies that have yet to affect daily life.
On the 18th, the accountability of the National Institute of Sports, Physical Education, and Recreation (INDER) will be addressed, along with oversight of the Ministry of Transportation and the government of Camagüey.
The approval of four new laws will also be voted on: the Sports System Law, the General Regime of Offenses, the Civil Registry Law, and the anticipated Code on Childhood, Adolescence, and Youth, promoted as a modern text, albeit with limited real impact in the face of the collapse of basic services.
Félix Martínez, president of the Economic Affairs Commission, acknowledged that serious challenges persist, such as the energy deficit, the fuel shortage, and “the lack of motivation in companies with export potential,” which jeopardizes the fulfillment of the economic plan.
Martínez referred to "the need to reform the currency allocation mechanism and address the currency market as one of the major pillars of the government program," although no specific measures were announced to reverse inflation or improve access to essential goods.
The public consultations on the new Code of Childhood, Adolescence, and Youth, which involved more than 800,000 people, were presented as evidence of the participatory nature of the law.
Meanwhile, dozens of citizens expressed their criticisms on the Cubadebate website regarding what they perceive as yet another session of postponed promises and repeated diagnoses.
They lamented that the most pressing demands of citizens, such as insufficient pensions, the collapse of the banking system, trade barriers, and urban neglect, do not appear among the urgent discussion priorities in the plenary session.
Other forum members called for the liberation of productive forces, the elimination of the "internal blockade," the allowance of private imports, and the effective enforcement of existing prices and laws. Others questioned whether the deputies truly represent the grassroots or if it is all an exercise disconnected from daily reality.
In short, another session full of speeches is expected, without deadlines or concrete actions. The ANPP promises to analyze a lot, but - as its own secretary said - “we would be foolish” to think that “everything we discuss will immediately resolve these issues.”
For a large part of the population, the problem is that they neither solve them… nor is there any intention to change course.
The new session of the ANPP will take place after the X Plenary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party is held in Havana on July 4 and 5. During this meeting, the official invitation to the 9th Congress in April 2026 was announced, presented as a “congress for all the people,” although in practice, the mechanisms for real citizen participation in strategic decisions remain limited.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fifth Ordinary Session of the Cuban Parliament
What are the main topics that will be discussed in the Fifth Ordinary Session of the Cuban Parliament?
During the Fifth Ordinary Session of the National Assembly of People's Power, more than 80 topics will be discussed, including prices, transportation, blackouts, water, medications, and public policies. One of the central issues will be the recovery of the national electric power system, characterized by technological obsolescence and fuel shortages.
What is expected from Prime Minister Manuel Marrero's report on the Government's Plan?
The Prime Minister Manuel Marrero will present a report on the Government's Plan to correct distortions and revitalize the economy. The report is expected to outline the objectives and goals of the program, although no concrete measures have been announced to reverse inflation or improve access to essential goods.
What measures have been proposed to address the energy crisis in Cuba?
To address the energy crisis, the construction of 55 solar parks with a capacity of 1,200 MW has been pledged to be completed by the end of 2025. However, the government has acknowledged that, without oil, there will be no significant relief in the current situation.
What laws will be put to a vote during the parliamentary session?
During the parliamentary session, the approval of four new laws will be voted on: the Sports System Law, the General Regime of Violations, the Civil Registry Law, and the Code of Childhood, Adolescence, and Youth. Despite being presented as a modern text, its real impact is considered to be limited in the face of the collapse of basic services.
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