Havana, December 20 (RHC)-- Deputies to the Cuban Parliament continued on Thursday the study of the Draft Constitution which was enriched by the public consultation held between August 13th and November 15th.

The lawmakers divided into three groups at Havana´s Convention Center for the discussion of the new modifications.  During the second ordinary session of the 9th Legislature scheduled for Friday, there will be a thorough presentation of the Draft Magna Carta.

Discussions over the weekend are expected to lead to the approval of the document, and if that is the case, it will be submitted to a referendum to replace or not the 1976 Constitution.

In statements to Prensa Latina, the Vice President of the Councils of State and of Ministers, Deputy Inés María Chapman, highlighted the democratic nature of the current process of constitutional reform in Cuba.  Chapman stressed that the text that is being studied in the National Assembly is very different from the one that was submitted to consultation earlier this year, thanks to the contributions made by the people.

The text ratifies the socialist character of Cuba and the leading role of the Communist Party in society.  It also broadens individual rights, proposes changes in the structure of the State, encourages foreign investment and recognizes the role of the market in the economy and of various forms of property, including private property.