Miguel Díaz-Canel nominated to replace Castro
Miguel Díaz-Canel (left) has served as vice-president to Raúl Castro . (AFP)
Miguel Díaz-Canel (left) has served as vice-president to Raúl Castro . (AFP)

(BBC) Cuba’s parliament has picked Miguel Díaz-Canel as the sole candidate to succeed President Raúl Castro, 86, bringing the family’s decades-long rule to an end.

Raúl Castro took over as president from his ailing brother Fidel in 2006.

The National Assembly, the country’s legislative body, will vote on the nomination but Mr Díaz-Canel is almost certain to be confirmed.

Raúl Castro is expected to remain a powerful influence in the communist state even after he steps down.

He is expected to formally pass the presidency to Mr Díaz-Canel after the announcement of the National Assembly’s vote on Thursday.

The next Cuban leader will inherit a country in economic stagnation and with a young population impatient for change, BBC Cuba correspondent Will Grant reports.

Plus there is the complex task of leading without the same revolutionary past as the predecessors.

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