Article by Angelo Alves, member of the Political Committee and of the International Department
The 18th Congress of the PCP, by its dimension, conclusions, participation and political impact, was a great success. Such a success that, even the media did not succeed in " leaking out "completely the message of hope , convictions and strength, which came from the Campo Pequeno, along those days.
But one mustn’t think there was a change of turn, a sudden mediatised compliance towards the PCP, on the occasion of its 18th Congress, and that if it were to happen, it would signify pure justice and a serious mediatised approach on the Congress, of one of the most important Portuguese political Parties, respected and admired at international level.
If for the Portuguese, a positive image of the PCP Congress passed through, an image of a stronger Party, founded on its principles and its history, rejuvenated, united and cohesive, not closed up in internal battles, with proposals for the Country and for the building of a political alternative, essentially, that is due to the strength that broke sprung out , its genuine contents, to the deep democratic discussion, which distinguished the collective construction of the approved conclusions, during months, and to the trust and determination of the whole of the Party , so well represented by thousand of delegates and guests.
The 18th Congress was a powerful answer to the whole of a political grid that attempted and attempts – in a very particular way, both in the same days of the Congress and in those that preceded it – to confine and subject the communists discussion to the limits of the political agendas of others. Others who, " united " by the old dream of putting apart or dividing the PCP and hold back its growth, and constantly inebriated by the mirage of power through power, pledge to "converge towards the construction of political cushions on what regards the PS government, which might elude and attenuate the nature and the political consequences of its anti-social offensive and withdraw the sphere for the strengthening of the real political alternative, of rupture with the right-wing policy, that the PCP publicly commends.
To the promoters of such " convergences " we say, once more, as we have done so many times in History, that genuine unity cannot be decreed, but built throughout struggle and thenceforth tested. Yes, its possible, to build a real left - wing alternative for Portugal – even when those who could contribute towards it, deliver themselves to lies, hypocrisy and divisionism, just because the elections are drawing near – and that the PCP rises from its Congress strengthened in order to build it !
