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III - XXII Congress of the PCP

1. The Central Committee of the PCP has decided that the XXII Congress of the PCP will be held in Almada, at the Municipal Sports Complex - City of Almada, on December 13, 14 and 15, under the slogan "Force of April. Taking the initiative, with the workers and the people. Democracy and Socialism".

2. The XXII Congress of the PCP is held in a particularly demanding international, national and Party intervention situation.

Capitalism reveals its exploitative, oppressive, aggressive and predatory nature and its structural crisis, imperialism is stepping up its offensive to maintain its dominance, the arms race is growing and the risk of spreading the war is increasing, as is the promotion of reactionary projects and forces, against a backdrop of the rearrangement of forces on an international scale, the affirmation of sovereignty and the resistance and struggle of workers and peoples.

The EU's process of capitalist integration is developing with a heightened neoliberal, federalist and militarist character, with constraints and conditions for the countries and peoples of Europe and negative impacts on the international stage.

A national situation, when celebrating the 50th. anniversary of the April Revolution, in which the values of April remain but the consequences of the counter-revolutionary process and capitalist integration in the EU are weighing increasingly heavily. A situation in which, in a certain arrangement of forces and within the framework of a prolonged class confrontation, a decision is being made between the conclusion of the counter-revolutionary process or its interruption and the opening up of the path to the future, with the project and values of April. An economic situation marked by structural weaknesses, a social situation in which exploitation, inequalities and injustices are reflected. A structure dominated by monopoly capital, where the strong presence of foreign capital is heightened, with multiple instruments at the service of its strategic objectives, namely the policy of reconfiguring the state and the means of ideological domination. A situation that is marked by changes in the political and institutional correlation of forces, in a context of a prolonged reactionary onslaught with a strong anti-communist character, but also by the Constitution of the Republic, with the values and project it enshrines, by important mass actions and organisations and by the Party's high capacity for resistance and intervention.

A situation in which political, economic and social developments and the prospects for their evolution cannot be separated from external constraints, in which dangers and potential coexist.

A situation in which the PCP is called upon to assume its vanguard role, with the affirmation of its own project, identity and objectives, as the decisive force in the struggle for an alternative policy and in uniting those who aspire to a real break with right-wing policies.

It is in this context and under these concrete conditions, both objective and subjective, that, on the basis of the XXI Congress and the National Conference "Taking the initiative, strengthening the Party, responding to new demands", the XXII Congress of the PCP is called upon to make a general assessment of the international and national situation, of the struggle and of the mass organisations and movements, and of the Party's action, influence, organisation and objectives. To evaluate and envisage the affirmation of the Party's role, tasks and objectives of the struggle in the context of the national and international correlation of forces in which it intervenes. Evaluate and put into perspective its strengthening and the indispensable role of its own action in the struggle for a political alternative, democracy and socialism. Reaffirm its identity, ideal and project of building a new society as an alternative to capitalism, identifying in its revolutionary overcoming the condition for a developed and sovereign Portugal, free from exploitation.

3. The Central Committee of the PCP believes that the Party's Programme and Constitution, which define and differentiate the Portuguese Communist Party, its identity, project, objectives and characteristics, respond to the current situation.

4. The Central Committee of the PCP has adopted the "Rules for the debate in the Party and for the election of delegates to the XXII Congress", which will start at the beginning of October, following the Central Committee's decision on the Theses - Draft Political Resolution.

5. The Central Committee of the PCP adopted the criteria for drawing up the list of the Central Committee to be elected by the XXII Congress.

The Central Committee of the PCP should maintain its characteristics, particularly in terms of its competences and size, although it may be reduced somewhat. The Central Committee must retain a large majority of workers and employees, with a strong working-class component. The Central Committee should include Party cadres - officials and non-officials - with responsibilities in leadership work, from companies and workplaces, participants in mass organisations and movements, who stand out in various areas of national life. Renewal must take into account a composition that combines the participation of more experienced cadres with the empowerment of young people, as well as strengthening the participation of women.

6. The Central Committee of the PCP stresses the importance of the XXII Congress and calls on Party militants to participate strongly with their reflection and contribution, essential factors to guarantee its success, ensuring the strengthening of the Party and the materialisation of its role, decisive in responding to the interests of the workers and the people and the country, in the struggle for the alternative, for an advanced democracy with the values of April in the future of Portugal, for socialism and communism.