Chapter 1 Developments in the international situation and the struggle of the workers and the peoples The developments in the international situation are characterised by great instability and uncertainty with, in general, a substantial overall worsening.

Comrades, The period since the last congress has been difficult and demanding. The deterioration of living conditions, the worsening of inequalities and social injustices, the worrying developments in the international situation, especially the pandemic and the escalation of confrontation and war, have marked these four years in a particularly negative way. In addition, there has been a violent offensive against the Party with the aim of conditioning or even preventing our action and the affirmation of our political positions.

Education, which should be a cause for hope among our people, is today, on the contrary, a cause of great anxiety and deep concern. This is the result of the political and ideological offensive against the right to education and the Public Education System. This offensive is centred on a very strong commitment to maintaining education as a means for the reproduction of capitalism, reproducing the material and ideological conditions for its own existence.

Comrades, I warmly welcome the delegates and guests to this important XXII Congress of the PCP, held at a time of resistance and struggle in our country and when, internationally, conflicts with dramatic consequences for the peoples of the world are growing, but the denunciation of imperialist aggression and calls for peace from many different quarters are also making themselves heard.