The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP), known in Portuguese as Partido Comunista Português (pronounced [pɐɾˈtiðu kumuˈniʃtɐ puɾtuˈɣeʃ]), stands as a historically significant communist, Marxist-Leninist political force in Portugal. Operating on principles of democratic centralism, the party proudly identifies as both patriotic and internationalist, positioning itself on the political spectrum from the left-wing to the far-left.

Founding and Early Struggles

Founded in 1921, the PCP quickly established connections with the global communist movement, reaching out to the Communist International (Comintern) in 1922 and officially becoming its Portuguese section by 1923. However, its existence was soon challenged. Following a coup in the late 1920s, the party was outlawed, plunging it into decades of clandestine operation. The PCP emerged as a crucial voice of opposition against the repressive dictatorial regime led by António de Oliveira Salazar, which lasted for nearly five decades.

During this extended period of authoritarian rule, the party and its members endured relentless suppression by the political police, the infamous PIDE. Life for PCP members was one of constant vigilance, forced to live in secret, under the ever-present threat of arrest, brutal torture, and even murder. Their commitment to their cause, however, never wavered.

The Carnation Revolution and a New Era

The tides turned dramatically in 1974 with the Carnation Revolution, a military coup that peacefully overthrew the 48-year-long dictatorship. This pivotal moment not only brought democracy back to Portugal but also liberated the PCP from its underground existence. The immense sacrifices made by its members were starkly evident: the 36 members of the party's Central Committee alone had collectively spent more than 300 years imprisoned under the old regime.

With the end of the dictatorship, the Portuguese Communist Party transitioned from a suppressed opposition movement to a major political force in the nascent democratic landscape. One of its enduring stated goals is to maintain its "vanguard role in the service of the class interests of the workers," reflecting its foundational ideological principles. Today, the PCP remains active, holding 6 of the 230 seats in the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic, making it the fifth largest party in the national legislature.

The Global Connection: The Comintern

Understanding the PCP's early history requires acknowledging the Communist International (Comintern), also known as the Third International. This influential international organization, founded in 1919, ardently advocated for world communism and was largely directed by the Soviet Union. At its Second Congress, the Comintern articulated a radical objective: to "struggle by all available means, including armed force, for the overthrow of the international bourgeoisie and the creation of an international Soviet republic as a transition stage to the complete abolition of the state." The Comintern itself had roots in the dissolution of the Second International in 1916.

Over its active years, the Comintern held seven World Congresses in Moscow between 1919 and 1935, alongside thirteen Enlarged Plenums of its governing Executive Committee, which served similar high-level functions. The organization eventually met its end in 1943, when Joseph Stalin, then leader of the Soviet Union, dissolved it. This strategic move was made to avoid antagonizing key allies in the later years of World War II, specifically the United States and the United Kingdom. Its ideological torch was later picked up by the Cominform, founded in 1947.

Continuing Legacy and Outreach

The Portuguese Communist Party continues its tradition of public engagement through its weekly newspaper, Avante!, which was first founded in 1931 and remains a significant voice for the party. Its youth organization, the Portuguese Communist Youth, further extends its reach, operating as a member of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, ensuring that its principles and activism resonate with younger generations in Portugal and within a global framework.

FAQs about the Portuguese Communist Party and the Comintern

Who is the Portuguese Communist Party (PCP)?

The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) is a communist, Marxist-Leninist political party in Portugal, founded in 1921, known for its historic role in opposing the Salazar dictatorship and its current presence in the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic.

When was the PCP founded?

The Portuguese Communist Party was founded in 1921.

What role did the PCP play during the dictatorship?

During the nearly five-decade-long dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar, the PCP was an illegal, clandestine organization that played a major and often perilous role in the opposition movement, with its members facing severe repression from the PIDE political police.

What is the Comintern?

The Comintern, or Communist International (also known as the Third International), was an international organization founded in 1919 that advocated for world communism, primarily led by the Soviet Union, aiming for the overthrow of the international bourgeoisie and the creation of an international Soviet republic.

What is the PCP's current political standing?

Currently, the PCP is the fifth largest party in the Portuguese Assembly of the Republic, holding 6 of the 230 parliamentary seats.

What is Avante!?

Avante! is the weekly newspaper published by the Portuguese Communist Party, founded in 1931, serving as a key communication tool for the party.