Fidel Castro retains influence as party leader

By Marc Frank

HAVANA (Reuters) - Fidel Castro steps down as Cuba's head of state on Sunday after 49 years at the helm, but at least for the coming months is likely to retain influence over all aspects of Cuban life as head of the ruling Cuban Communist Party (PCC).

Castro's brother, Raul Castro, is expected to be confirmed as the new president at Sunday's National Assembly meeting. Castro, 81 and in fragile health, keeps the post of first secretary of the PCC.

According to Cuba's constitution, that is the most powerful position in the Caribbean island nation of 11 million people.

"The Communist Party of Cuba ... is the highest directing force of the society and state," says the 1976 constitution. No other political parties or groups are allowed.

In theory, Castro could use the party post to block any reforms undertaken by Raul Castro that depart from his views of a socialist society.

"Since Raul has pledged to implement all changes under the banner of the Communist Party, Fidel's continued power in this body may have a decisive impact on the shape and nature of future reforms," said Dan Erikson, an expert on Cuba at the Inter-American Dialogue policy group in Washington.

In practice, it remains to be seen whether Castro, who has been ill for more than 18 months, will be well enough to wield the power that comes with the party post.

"It would be a betrayal to my conscience to accept a responsibility requiring more mobility and dedication than I am physically able to offer," Castro said in his message on Tuesday announcing he was retiring from the presidency.

Castro provisionally handed over power to Raul Castro in July 2006 after abdominal surgery and has not been seen in public since. Authorities have never given details of his health.

Party insiders expect Castro to give up leadership of the PCC some time over the next 12 months when a party Congress picks new officials, completing the formal transfer of power to his successors.

Even after that he could remain an important player as Cuba's elder statesman, writing articles in the state-run media from the background.

CONTROL AT THE TOP

Castro has been first secretary of the party -- with Raul Castro second secretary -- since its founding in 1965, six years after his rebel movement took power.

The brothers preside over the PCC's policy-setting Political Bureau and the Secretariat that executes policy on a daily basis between occasional Central Committee meetings.

Party sources say Raul Castro had taken on more and more responsibility even before Fidel Castro temporarily handed him authority in 2006.