PCP's Central Committee Set for Transformation: Youth and Gender Balance Take Center Stage

A New Era for the PCP's Central Committee

The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) is gearing up for a significant change in its central committee, aiming for a younger, more diverse leadership. The new committee, which will be voted on this weekend at the PCP congress, is designed to be slightly smaller and will feature a greater proportion of women.

If approved, the new committee will consist of 125 members, including 37 women (29.6%), marking an increase from the current 27.3%. This adjustment also reflects a decrease in the average age of committee members from 49 to 48 years.

Key Changes

The shift in demographics is notable, with 13 of the 25 new members being women. Additionally, the number of members under 30 will rise from six to eight, while those over 60 will decrease from 31 to 24. The youngest members will be Inês Guerreiro and Gonçalo Paixão, both aged 23, while the oldest will remain Jerónimo de Sousa at 77.

In a recent interview, Sousa expressed his desire to make way for younger leaders, stating the need for a "strengthening of the party's ranks". However, current leader Paulo Raimundo asserted that Sousa will remain involved in the party's direction.

Continuity Amidst Change

Despite these changes, many familiar faces will stay on the committee, including Paulo Raimundo, Paula Santos, and António Filipe. The committee's new composition will see 28 departures and 25 new entries, including Tânia Mateus, who temporarily replaced Raimundo during his parental leave.

Political Resolution Project

The political resolution project to be discussed at the congress emphasizes maintaining the committee's core characteristics while allowing for some reductions. It aims to blend experienced members with rising youth, alongside a commitment to increasing women's participation. The party also seeks to retain a strong representation of workers and employees within its leadership ranks.