The president of the Senate, Garibaldi Alves (PMDB-RN), commented last Tuesday (19) on the resignation of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, saying that he expects Cuba to experience democracy and freedom in the upcoming years.

- Hopefully Cuba will march to a new era, marked by liberty, when people will have the right to make their own political choices – he said.

The National Assembly of Cuba will now elect the new president of the country. During the meeting, 614 deputies will elect 31 members to the State Council. The president of the council is also the head of State and Government.

Since the institution of this electoral system, in 1976, Fidel Castro has been the only occupant of the presidency of Cuba. Altogether, he stayed in power for 49 years.