The Council of State met yesterday evening at the Capitol via videoconference, in a session presided by Esteban Lazo Hernández, with the participation of President of the Republic Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.

In accordance with its constitutional responsibilities, the Council of State analyzed four bills that will be submitted to the Power’s Fifth Period of Ordinary Sessions, October 28, for consideration and approval.

These include proposed laws regarding Foreign Service; revocation of elected People’s Power representatives; the organization and functioning of the Council of Ministers; and authorities of the President and Vice President of the Republic.

Council members noted the quality of the proposed legislation, which was drafted with the participation of specialists from various institutions, and emphasized their importance, given that, once approved, the national state structure will have a solid normative base.

The Council of State also considered proposals on accountability reports by People’s Power delegate to their constituents; and regulations for auxiliary offices of the National Assembly of People’s Power and the Council of State, which assist these bodies in the their work.

Also analyzed were requests from Municipal Assemblies of People’s Power to establish the presidencies of some of their standing committees as professional positions.

Additional decisions were made to extend the mandates of lay judges, until a new law on the courts is approved, and to amend regulations governing the use of the Gold Star medal, the insignia awarded to decorated Heroes of Labor of the Republic.

(Taken from Granma)

Likewise, in consideration of his extensive revolutionary career, the Council of State agreed to award him the Service to the Homeland Order in the First Degree.

As a demonstration of his lack of attachment to any position, and his proverbial modesty and loyalty to the Revolution, in February of 2013, prior to his election by the National Assembly to the Council of State, he offered to relinquish his position as a vice president of this body, to support the promotion of the new generation.

Now, when he recognized that his health limited the fulfillment of his important responsibilities, he did not hesitate to resign, demonstrating his confidence in the future of the Cuban Revolution and socialism, as he wrote in his letter, which will be made public.

The Council of State, at the same time, approved the promotion to Minister of the Interior of Division General Carlos Fernández Gondín, member of the Party Central Committee, National Assembly deputy, and first deputy minister of this entity, who has an extensive record of service to the homeland.

Additionally, promoted to the position of First Deputy Minister of the Interior is Vice Admiral Julio Cesar Gandarilla Bermejo, current head of military counter-intelligence, member of the Central Committee and a National Assembly deputy.

(Granma)