Cuban lawmaker Danhiz Díaz Pereira recently argued that the National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) should avoid confrontations and disputes, suggesting that such conduct does not align with the parliamentary ethics of Cuba. Representing the Marianao municipality in Havana, the industrial engineer emphasized that consensus and dialogue should form the foundation of legislative operations. He criticized confrontational debates as "unproductive caricatures" that hinder finding real solutions.
According to Díaz, the Cuban legislative body must steer clear of resembling "those caricatures of parliaments that display confrontation" because, as he noted, there's a popular misconception that democracy requires conflict. His remarks during a session, a portion of which was shared on Facebook by musician and fellow legislator Arnaldo Rodríguez, sparked public backlash.
Public Response and Criticism
The public reaction was swift and critical. Many Cubans condemned the lawmaker's speech, arguing that it justifies the absence of critical debate within the parliament and reinforces submission to power. Comments from individuals like Andy Giovel Domínguez highlight the perception that the ANPP lacks genuine idea exchange, relying instead on automatic applause and an absence of real questioning. "There is no consensus where only the official position prevails," Domínguez stated.
Others reminded that without debate, true consensus cannot exist. "Debate is not conflict," Michel Roque commented, underscoring that dissent is a fundamental part of any democratic process. The harshest criticisms targeted the lack of tangible results from government strategies and an "ethic of non-confrontation" that perpetuates problems rather than resolving them.
Calls for Authentic Representation
Some feedback was even more direct. "Of course, the dictatorship does not like confrontation," wrote Yoendris Lambert, accusing lawmakers of delivering empty speeches to maintain privileges without improving the nation's situation. Alina M Menéndez was blunt: "Any proposal of confidence must be tested with results. Dissenting is not straying from the solution."
Several users connected the lack of debate with past disastrous decisions, like the economic reordering, holding the ANPP accountable for applauding officials who deny the country's reality. Daynet Castañeda directly challenged the lawmaker: "He should review the notion of confrontation in Marxist thought."
Legitimacy of the Legislative Body
Criticism also targeted the parliament's legitimacy. Although the lawmaker claimed they are not appointed by a party but elected by the people, comments like those from Claudio Gaitán dismantle that narrative. "Even if they are not 'formally' elected by the party, they are selected and approved by structures controlled by the PCC (the so-called Candidacy Commissions), and there is no genuine electoral competition," argued Gaitán.
Far from calming tensions, Díaz's discourse highlighted the growing disillusionment with a legislative body that many no longer see as representative. Citizens' demands are clear: more real debate, greater accountability, and less pretense of pluralism.
Cuba's Democratic Defense
The Cuban Communist Party (PCC) has tried to defend against criticisms of its candidate nominations to the ANPP by arguing that democracy doesn't mean multipartism. While the PCC insists on defending Cuban "democracy" through an electoral system they claim favors the people's access to power, their single-party system prevents individuals not affiliated with that party from seeking different representation.
In July 2024, President Miguel Díaz-Canel defended the Cuban political system and the unanimous approval of its laws in the ANPP, describing it as characteristic of a "rare dictatorship" like Cuba's, driven by "the people's interests." During the closing speech of the third ordinary session of the X Legislature of the ANPP, he justified the procedure for ratifying laws in the Cuban parliament, which has been criticized for the "unanimity" shown, with no open opposition or dissenting votes, typical of democratic farces exhibited by totalitarian regimes.
Months later, in December, the leader appointed by Army General Raúl Castro reiterated that the ANPP is "the most representative in the world." To date, Mariela Castro, daughter of Raúl Castro and niece of dictator Fidel Castro, has been the only lawmaker to vote "no" against the Labor Code project, arguing it did not adequately protect people with non-conventional gender identities or HIV. The vote occurred behind closed doors in December 2013 but was revealed months later by activists, marking an unprecedented act since no legislator had previously openly rejected a regulation in the ANPP, even in controversial cases like social security reform.
Understanding the Cuban Legislative Process
Why does Danhiz Díaz Pereira oppose confrontations in the ANPP?
Danhiz Díaz Pereira believes that confrontations do not align with the ethics of the Cuban parliament and that consensus and dialogue should be the foundation of legislative operations.
What are the criticisms against the lack of debate in the Cuban parliament?
Critics argue that the absence of debate in the ANPP justifies a lack of critical discourse and reinforces submission to power, with many seeing it as a pretense of pluralism without real questioning or dissent.
How does the PCC defend its candidate nominations to the ANPP?
The PCC argues that democracy doesn't require multipartism and insists that their electoral system allows the people access to power, although critics point out that it restricts representation to those affiliated with the party.
Who was the only lawmaker to vote "no" in the ANPP and why?
Mariela Castro, daughter of Raúl Castro, was the only lawmaker to vote "no" against the Labor Code project in 2013, citing inadequate protection for people with non-conventional gender identities or HIV.