Raul Castro succeeds brother as Fidel's legacy remains untainted

Members of Cuba's National Assembly elected Raul Castro to succeed his brother, Fidel, last night. But there was little suspense in Havana yesterday anyway, as most people doubted the newly elected body would dare do anything but salute the legacy of Fidel by selecting his 76-year-old brother to take over.

The only real alternative for the 614-member Assembly was to embrace a generational shift, choosing one of two younger loyal lieutenants of the regime, either the Foreign Minister, Felipe Perez Roque, who is 42, or the 56-year-old Vice-President, Carlos Lage.

Raul Castro remained the more obvious choice. He has been acting as caretaker leader since 31 July 2006 when the authorities revealed that Fidel had been afflicted by a serious stomach ailment and was ceding day-to-day management of the country pending his recovery from surgery. That recovery never really came and last Tuesday Fidel withdrew his name from consideration by the Assembly.

The voting by secret ballot was watched over by Raul Castro, while the vote of his brother was delivered in a sealed envelope. Delegates were also naming vice-presidents of the ruling Council of State.

Raul Castro, who was Cuba's Defence Minister for decades, is widely expected to keep Cuba on the strict socialist path set by his brother although he has indicated in recent months a willingness to see some opening up of the economy, perhaps inspired by the model forged by Communist China.

In Washington, the US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, issued a statement urging more fundamental change. "We urge the Cuban government to begin a process of peaceful, democratic change by releasing all political prisoners, respecting human rights, and creating a clear pathway towards free and fair elections," she said.

The younger Castro, who has the backing of senior generals, will face significant challenges. If he has already spoken of "structural changes" for the economy, it is because conditions demand it. Cubans are increasingly weary of state salaries that have fallen far behind the cost of living as well as food shortages, housing shortfalls and a crumbling transport system.