Comrades,

We are here at the XXI Congress of the PCP, at the congress of our Party, analysing, debating, making decisions, centred in the workers’, people’s and the Country’s situation, identifying problems, denouncing injustice and inequality, the exploitation that creates them, pointing out the path of organisation, unity and struggle of the workers and their convergence into a great social front, capable of transforming the Country, and materialising the rights enshrined in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, inscribed there also by the force of struggle, by the force of the Revolution. We are here pointing out solutions for a more developed and fairer Portugal, for a new society that is increasingly more necessary to overcome the scourges created by the capitalist system and launch the leaps of social progress that our time demands.

During this weekend of a State of Emergency and curfew, hundreds of thousands of workers are working, many of them in essential functions, many others in activities that do not demand uninterrupted work and are working because the plague of deregulation of schedules and continuous labour has been proliferating.

They can be working, in many cases despite commuting without any guarantee of sanitary conditions to do so, concentrating hundreds or thousands in the workplaces, subject to the violation of their rights on wages, working times, work agreements, health and safety work conditions. For the heralds of exploitation and limitation of freedoms and rights this is not a problem.

However, if those same workers intend to have a plenary meeting, if they intend to demonstrate and denounce their problems, deciding their claims and demanding responses, this is no longer acceptable, it is no longer possible, it is reprehensible. And if in the same weekend the Party of the workers holds its Congress, giving voice to the workers’ problems, aspirations, claims, to the solution of national problems, these same candidates for executioners of freedom and democracy, invoking the pandemic, shout their voices, vomit hate and want nothing less than the prohibition of the Congress.

They have their answer. The XXI Congress of the Portuguese Communist Party is here to prove the importance of all PCP’s congresses, and this more than the others is an example of the path to be followed. A path of sanitary protection, while giving course to life in its multiple dimensions, fighting the antidemocratic epidemic that is there, exercising rights and developing the struggle.

To the workers that are working in this weekend, in essential functions, in services, in industrial areas, to all workers, to the retired and pensioners, to the unemployed, to the small and medium- sized business owners, we convey a strong message of solidarity, a call for unity, organisation and struggle, and the commitment that they can always count on the Portuguese Communist Party, this Party that does not flee, that is where it ought to be, that says what needs to be said and does what needs to be done.

We are here in this Congress, as we do every day in our action.

The Portuguese Communist Party exists to be, in all circumstances, at the workers’ and people’s service. This is not just a statement or an objective, it is the reality that arises with the strength of 100 years of struggle: the communist militants have shown proof of their dedication and limitless commitment. With the force of a free and conscious option against exploitation and injustice, for social progress, they gave their best, subject to all trials and tribulations, targets of repression, torture and murder, discrimination, dismissals, libel and aggression. No favours or perks, only the satisfaction of a duty fulfilled, at peace with their option and conscience, embedded in the struggle to improve life, to boost the course of History to higher levels of civilization.
How was it possible, how is it possible? It is only made possible not only due to our individual characteristics, but due to the cause that we embrace that motivates us and gives us perspective, due to the collective that we integrate, that gives us stimulus, mutual help and solidarity.

This example is transmitted, learnt and assumed from generation to generation. The generations that make up today’s PCP and fulfil their role, assume that legacy and transform into reality in the current struggle. They are not mere observers or analysts, but rather militants of the action that influences and transforms.

They assume at all levels their dedication and intervention.

In the companies and workplaces upholding worker’s interests, so often targeted by employer’s arbitrariness.

In the general militant activity, in the information and clarification, where they are needed, rain or shine, encouraged by support or subject to incomprehension and threats.

Within the institutional bodies, as MPs, elected in local government or other structures. Using all their capacity, work, honesty, competence, acting with persistence, fighting injustice and arbitrariness, to solve problems and find solutions. Applying the principle of not being financially benefited or harmed in the exercise of public positions, not receiving more than what they would receive in their original professions and activities, because they are not in these positions to benefit themselves but to serve the people and the country and giving, and thus showing a superior moral and ethical dimension.

They do it with dedication, militancy, courage, confidence and an immense joy.

The Portuguese Communist Party, referred to as “The Party” by broad democratic sectors, due to its unique intervention throughout 48 years of fascist dictatorship, the only one that resisted and asserted itself in the borderline conditions that it waged that struggle, is a party that distinguished itself from all others, due to the way how it defines itself and due to what it actually is.

The PCP, through its practice, orientation and conception, is the party of the working class and of all the workers, that defends the interests of the anti-monopolist classes and layers, that is independent from the influence, interests, ideology and policies of the forces of capital, that has a close connection to the working class, to the workers and to the people in general. It has as supreme objectives the construction of socialism and communism, of a society free from capitalist exploitation and oppression. It has as theoretical basis Marxism-Leninism, a materialistic and dialectical conception of the world, an instrument of analysis, guide for action, a critical and transforming ideology. It has functioning principles, stemming from the creative development of democratic centralism, rooted on a profound internal democracy, on a single general guideline and central leadership. It is a patriotic and internationalist party.

These are the features of the communist identity, that the PCP assumes and implements, as the communist party that it is and intends to continue being, honouring its history, renewing its commitment to the every-day struggle and preparing itself for the challenges of tomorrow. A communist identity that affirms it as a “necessary indispensable and irreplaceable party” to the Portuguese workers and people, in the struggle against injustice, inequality, against exploitation, to serve the people and our motherland, for democracy and socialism.

Long Live the XXI Congress!
Long Live the Portuguese Communist Party!