with religious belief may now join the Cuban Communist Party, although Cuban Priests have commented this is merely a 'token' gesture, and in reality, the ability of religious persons to join the Party is limited and fraught with difficulty). Popular participation in government was expanded with the direct election of National and Provincial assemblies. It is these changes that signify Cuba's abandonment of the Soviet legal model. 2002 Constitutional amendments In 2002, the Constitution was again amended to make the socialist system permanent and irrevocable. This came at a time when the Varela Project called for greater political freedom in Cuba. Creation of private property rights On April 18, 2011, the Sixth Cuban Congress approved laws expanding the internal market and access to global markets. In February 2019, voters approved a new Constitution granting right to private property and greater access to free markets, while also maintaining Cuba's status as a socialist state 2019 Constitution On 24 February 2019, voters approved a new constitution which included reforms such as: The recognition of private property, and the creation of a freer market; The restoration of the positions of President and Prime Minister of Cuba as posts separate from President of the Council of State and of Ministers; The transfer of head of Council of State to the President of the National Assembly The position of mayor being added to that of president of a municipal assembly The creation of a requirement for Presidential-appointed Provincial Governors and Deputy Governors to be ratified by local municipal governments The acknowledgement of climate change and its threat The establishment of provincial councils made up of municipal leaders The creation of a two consecutive five-year term limit imposed on the president; Defining marriage as “a social and legal institution” and “one form of family organization.” Extending the terms of municipal council delegates to five years; Banning discrimination based on gender, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability, (formerly included leading to the possible legalization of same-sex marriage); The restoration of a presumption of innocence in the justice system, last provided for in the 1940 constitution. The Constitution was afterwards proclaimed as scheduled on 10 April 2019. After being proclaimed, the Constitution was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic, ensuring its entry into force. See also Constitution of Cuba 2002, English language version Cuban Legal System Legal Profession (Cuba) Agrarian Reform Laws of