The Drafting Committee Report, which has been handed out, contains information on the Thesis/Draft Political resolution changes.
The Draft Resolution submitted to the Congress results from an intense process of collective debate since stage one - debating which issues would lead to the draft thesis - to the discussion, during this third stage, which has the Party collective contributing to its construction.
It has taken as many months to prepare our Congress as the evolution of the epidemic in our Country. This fact brings more importance to the militant contribution, given over these months, despite all the limitations implemented on our collective life.
The preliminary discussion confirmed our party collective's involvement and its decisive role in establishing analysis and guideline.
A debate which has added-value, be it because this very preparation did not dispense with but rather became a part of a more generalised intervention, which the Party has carried out in a framework of unexpected escalation of the health situation and the deterioration of the social and economic situation. It is also a debate that coexisted with a brutal anti-communist offensive, which even tried to question our right to be here, discussing the problems of the country and pointing solutions for the future.
The existence of the outbreak did not call for the suspension or postponing the party’s intervention.
It called for the reinforcement of political intervention, the inclusion of the new factors that have arisen, the analysis of the situation, and the examination of answers to address the problems. Reflection, and let alone struggle, are not in lockdown. We did not stick to virtual reality. We did not hide under the bed. We faced reality complying with all health measures in April, May, in September at the Avante! Festival, and now in November at this important Congress.
We carried out a debate that is in itself a statement of ideological and political independence.
A debate defined by our own judgement, by our class-oriented assessment of the political, economic, and social developments.
A debate that does not ignore or alienate from life and the world that surrounds us, but that has refused to be conditioned by bad advice, by lies and mystifications, by hints on what would be the best for the Party.
The usual pressure and accusations to the PCP were not amiss, just as the eternal death certificates, the accusations of incoherence, the lies about the Party's real influence, the exchange of favours and the so-called privileges, the basest and undisguised anti-communism, leading the ongoing reactionary offensive.
The PCP, as its 100 years of struggle show, will not be led by third-party decisions, nor will it surrender to pressure, blackmail, and crusades, no matter how violent they can be. And they are.
The Party will know how to lead and decide with full independence, loyal to its commitment to the workers and the people, trusting itself and its experience. If there is evidence of how much the PCP is able to achieve and how valuable it is for the national political arena, these consecutive campaigns against the PCP only occur because the PCP is a Party indispensable and irreplaceable in the struggle of the workers and the people.
Having arrived at the Congress, it is fair to say that we have done so guided by our principles and analytical methods, without claims of knowing everything, but, with the deep conviction that what we decide, is decided based on what we are and where we want to go.
The broad participation and involvement of the Party members have assured a debate in which all opinions count. Do not underestimate this important legacy and collective analysis and decision making method. It is not merely a formal issue. The rightness of our guideline, the capacity of intervention, and political action are inseparable from the democratic life of the PCP and are decisive factors for action and struggle.
The thesis carries out an analysis of the international situation arising from the deepening of capitalism´s structural crisis, of the dangers and threats resulting from the intensification of imperialism´s exploitative and aggressive offensive, exacerbated by the current pandemic.
The resistance and the struggle of the workers and the people are looked into as well as the struggle and the creative role of the mass struggle, interlinked with the reinforcement of the communist and revolutionary movement in its relationship with the imperialistic front and its strengthening.
The worldwide process of rearrangement of forces and its trends and contradictions is also analysed, pointing out the revolutionary overcoming of capitalism by socialism, as a demand of the present and of the future.
Chapter II proceeds to assess the national situation and the advances which occurred since the XX Congress. The consequences of a right-wing policy are highlighted.
The constraints caused by the process of EU`s capitalist integration, referring the need to free the country from the ties with the EU and the submission to the Euro, the need to break free from the monopolist and imperialist process of capitalist restoration carried out against the values of April.
The most impressive aspects in the social field and their expression in the various classes and population groups are described. The main environmental problems, inseparable from capitalism´s predatory nature, are addressed. The cultural sector, namely its own value inseparable from the right to freely enjoy art and culture, is examined.
Attention is drawn to the threats against the democratic regime which has as core elements the ideological offensive and the powerful means on which they are based, an open path which increases with the lack of the PS government´s response to the country’s problems.
We also have the evaluation of what is called “the new phase of national political life”. Its lesson and teachings. What was prevented, restored, and achieved and the undisguised limits to comprehensively address the demands of national development.
PS´ actions and its class options reflected in the submission to the UE, the Euro, and the interests of the big capital, demanding the need to struggle for an alternative, patriotic and left-wing policy, are analysed.
In Chapter 3, an assessment is made of the mass struggle as a social transformation factor, raising class awareness and a driving force for a patriotic and left-wing alternative.
The indispensable role of the struggle of the workers and their class organisations’ intervention is reaffirmed, highlighting the unitary trade union movement's intervention and of the CGTP-IN, to which anti-monopoly converging action is added. The pivotal role played by the communists in organisations and mass movements is also recognised.
We have to point out the dangers stemming from the options taken by the PS and its convergence with PSD, together with the ongoing reactionary offensive, which makes the struggle for an alternative policy even more pressing.
An evaluation of the Party´s intervention in institutions is carried out. An analysis of the political and party framework is undertaken, where besides the characterisation of every political force by itself and of the party framework as a whole is assessed. The President of the Republic's intervention and the action of reactionary sectors' action are mentioned, as well as the emergence of political forces - such as Chega and IL based on demagogic and anti-democratic concepts and projects.
In a context marked by a long and intense offensive against the Party, the struggles fought on the electoral level and the resulting rearrangement of forces are highlighted. A political alternative and a government that is able to deliver it depends on the promotion of the mass struggle and will be as close as stronger is the PCP and its influence.
In Chapter 4 the fundamental factors and guidelines for the Party's reinforcement, its organisation, action and initiative are discussed. It is referred that due to its practice and orientation, the PCP takes on the essential characteristics of the communist identity. It is demonstrated that in 100 years, there has been no social transformation, no achievement which is not directly or indirectly associated with the struggle and intervention of the PCP.
Central aspects of party life are identified, as well as the role of the cadres, the issues of leadership, recruitment, organisation in companies and workplaces, funds, and the necessary means for intervention and the internationalist tasks of the Party.
It is considered that the situation, evolution, and structure of the organisation cannot be dissociated from the context within which the Party acts. It is reaffirmed that in order to act and perform its vanguard role, the Party needs an organisation that is strong, structured, and connected to the masses. The valorisation of the activity carried out, and the measures for organic reinforcement do not disguise the recognised shortcomings and difficulties that have to be overcome.
It is considered that the Party was tested, resisted, and fulfilled its role in the period between congresses. Holding the Avante! Festival in 2020 represented a great success of the party collective, a remarkable statement of militancy, capacity, resilience and determination of the PCP, which simultaneously demonstrated in practice that it is possible to fight fear and proceed with the struggle for a better life.
Comrades
In a context of a great diversity of elements for analysis and tasks, it is important to retain and project a core of main issues which the political resolution raises:
Firstly: The world situation confirms the topicality of socialism, reinforced following the deep crisis faced by capitalism and the need for its revolutionary overcoming, living each people its own different stages.
In a process in which obeying general laws has to bear in mind the national circumstances, as defined by the PCP in its programme: An advanced democracy - the values of April in the future of Portugal.
Secondly: the national situation highlights the need for a struggle for a patriotic and left-wing policy. That is what is necessary to face the PS Government's policies, the attempts of rehabilitation of the PSD and CDS, and the promotion of reactionary and demagogic forces. The struggle for a patriotic and left-wing policy is the strategic issue that demands Party action, the workers’ and the people's struggle, and the convergence of democrats and patriots.
Thirdly: the anti-communist offensive has always been present, but not with the same intensity and aggressiveness. Over the last years, the Party has faced one of the most violent offensives, which tends to last and become stronger. The way it has been addressed makes the action and intervention over these years even more remarkable.
However, this takes us to the need to reinforce the organisation, for a more significant connection with the masses, of a political initiative that identifies with the aspirations of the workers and the Portuguese people.
Comrades
Faced with the understandable doubts on whether the objectives we fight for are possible or easy, we will find the answer in the firm conviction of the fairness of our ideals and our Project, in the daily struggle of a Party deeply connected to life, to the objectives we point out as necessary for the future of Portugal, an advanced democracy with the values of April in the future of Portugal, socialism and communism.
