High Expectations as Cuban Parliament Convenes Amid Economic Challenges

The Fifth Ordinary Session of Cuba's National Assembly of People's Power (ANPP) in its 10th Legislature is expected to feature intense and substantive debates as lawmakers assess government measures aimed at addressing economic distortions and revitalizing the struggling economy.

From Monday, July 14, to Tuesday, July 15, the ANPP's 11 standing committees will hold discussions, followed by plenary sessions starting Wednesday, July 16, at Havana’s Convention Center. Deputies will review the progress of key programs and policies affecting both the population and the economy, engaging in critical exchanges with high-ranking officials, including ministers and regional representatives.

Given Cuba’s complex challenges—exacerbated by the tightened U.S. embargo, which restricts access to foreign currency, fuel, food, and raw materials—the sessions are expected to yield urgent proposals rather than complacency. The economic crisis has heightened demands for solutions to issues such as food rationing, soaring prices, power outages, public transportation, liquefied gas shortages, water supply, banking reforms, and support for vulnerable families.

Unlike many legislatures worldwide, nearly half of Cuba’s deputies are grassroots delegates, maintaining direct contact with local communities and their struggles. Between sessions, the ANPP and its committees conduct oversight visits across provinces, municipalities, and state enterprises. In the first half of 2025 alone, the Assembly’s leadership toured 10 provinces, nearly 70 municipalities, and around 900 production and service facilities, while holding discussions with over 40,000 citizens.

These interactions inform parliamentary debates, ensuring that lawmakers address public concerns with firsthand insight. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz is expected to provide updates on the government’s economic recovery plan, which emphasizes popular participation and institutional coordination.

As President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez emphasized at the recent 10th Plenum of the Communist Party’s Central Committee, "The people expect concrete, immediate actions to overcome this profound economic crisis, which is damaging the moral fabric of our nation."

In response, deputies face heightened pressure to enforce laws, combat corruption, and strengthen oversight—all while maintaining close ties to the communities they represent. The session’s outcomes will be closely watched as Cuba seeks pathways to stability amid unprecedented hardship.