Fidel Castro was nominated on Sunday by the city council of Santiago for a seat in Cuba’s parliament this being a first step to ensure that he remains president of Cuba.  

Castro needs to be nominated if he wants to remain the island’s president after national elections in January, CBS reports.

Analyst Philip Peters of the Lexington Institute explains: “If he wasn't nominated today, he would be effectively resigning the presidency. This puts him in a position to continue as president, but it doesn't tell us whether he will, and we still have to question whether somebody who has not appeared in public for 16 months is going to seek a new term as chief of state,” Chicago Tribune quotes.

Castro, 81, hasn’t appeared in public since July 2006, when he underwent an intestinal surgery this forcing him to cede provisional power to his brother Raul, 76, and senior officials.

He has kept his presence in the public eye by writing regular commentaries in newspapers and just a few appearances on television. 

If Castro wins a seat in parliament in the national election on January 20 he will remain for another term as the president of the Council of State.

The nomination was made in the eastern provincial city of Santiago de Cuba where the members of municipal assemblies gathered there to propose candidates for the 614-member national assembly. After the new assembly is chosen the members will have to select the council of state. Since 1976, when the council was created, Castro has held its presidency.  

Ricardo Alarcón, the national assembly president, said that Castro would be the first candidate for council’s presidency if he were an assembly member, Guardian Unlimited reports.

Castro could still have an important role in the nation’s leadership even if he lets go to the presidency. He could occupy a position as Communist part general or a new emeritus position.

Analyst Hans de Salas, a researcher at the Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies at the University of Miami, said that despite his health problems Castro could continue to hold on to his leadership titles. His political influence is still strong and there are few persons that dare to criticize him in the public,

De Salas said: “By the power of persona, he continues to intimidate the center of society as well as would-be reformers of the state. It's less likely there would be any challenge to Raul's power while Fidel himself is alive.”