The Communist Party of China announced on Sunday the election of all its delegates for the 20th congress, which will begin on October 16 and will allow President Xi Jinping to win a third term as the country’s leader, AFP and Agerpres reported.

The conclave, which is organized once every five years, will also support changes in the party’s powerful governing body, the so-called Politburo.

“Each constituency across the country convened a party congress or representative meeting and elected 2,296 delegates to the 20th Party Congress,” state broadcaster CCTV said.

The delegates, including women, members of ethnic minorities and economists, scientists and athletes, must adhere to Xi Jinping’s ideological orientation and the party constitution, CCTV said.

This congress, organized in the capital Beijing, intervenes in a context in which the Chinese president is facing several difficulties, including the deterioration of the economic situation and relations with the US, as well as the consequences of his strict zero-covid policy, which has accelerated the self-isolation of the country.

There is a rivalry behind the scenes and Xi Jinping will try to consolidate his power, analysts say

Approximately 2,300 delegates representing all provinces and regions of the country will nominate nearly 200 delegates to the party’s Central Committee, who will in turn elect a 25-member Politburo, which in turn has an all-powerful Standing Committee (with 7 members). members at the moment), the real power of China.

The voting seems to be only a formality, the composition of the Politburo and the Standing Committee is probably determined in advance, AFP comments.

Even if the communist regime creates an appearance of unity, there is rivalry behind the scenes and the president will try to consolidate his power, analysts say.

Since Xi Jinping came to power as party-state chairman in late 2012, more than 1.5 million cadres have been sanctioned as part of a sweeping anti-corruption campaign, according to official figures.

China’s number one has long been suspected of using this campaign to eliminate domestic opposition, France Presse notes.

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