the leading bodies of the party were the politburo and the secretariat until 1991. in 1991 the two bodies were merged into an expanded politburo with over twenty members. however, the secretariat was re-introduced in 2002. there is also a central committee which meets between party congresses. at the fifth congress, the size of the central committee was reduced to 150 members from the previous membership of 225. fidel castro was the party's first secretary (or leader) since its creation while raúl castro was the second secretary. upon fidel castro's 2008 resignation from the party and cuban government, raúl castro became first secretary.