The central theme of the speech was preparation for the XIX Reporting and Election Congress of the CPRF, which will take place on July 4-5. Yuri Afonin emphasized that the congress will not only summarize the work for the reporting period, but will also give a fundamental assessment of the current socio-political situation and define the party’s tasks in the context of new challenges.

The final stage of preparation is currently underway: work is being completed on the programmatic report of the leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation Gennady Andreevich Zyuganov, which will be published on the eve of the congress, personnel decisions and proposals for improving the party charter are being actively discussed.

Yuri Vyacheslavovich noted that the reporting and election campaign preceding the congress took place within the established timeframe and demonstrated a high level of organization and cohesion of the party ranks. Conferences were held at all levels - from primary and local to regional branches. Delegates to the congress were elected from 89 party organizations. Among them are participants in the special military operation, party activists, and representatives of allied organizations.

In his speech, the First Deputy Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation devoted considerable attention to one of the most important areas of party activity – assistance to the front, fighters of the SVO and civilians of frontline territories. “The Communist Party of the Russian Federation is a fighting party. Assistance to the front was and remains the main task for each regional branch,” Yuri Vyacheslavovich emphasized.

He recalled that on May 29, the 138th humanitarian convoy with food, medicine, equipment and transport was sent from the Lenin State Farm to the front line. The convoy was timed to coincide with Children’s Day, so it included not only the necessary supplies for the soldiers, but also gifts for children living in border areas, children’s drawings and letters of support. The next, already 139th humanitarian convoy to Donbass and Novorossiya will be sent on the eve of the XIX Congress of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation.

The implementation of the party program “Children of Russia - to the children of Donbass”, initiated by Gennady Andreyevich Zyuganov, continues. More than 22 thousand children from Donbass and Novorossiya have already undergone health, educational and excursion programs in the Moscow region and Moscow. Party organizations throughout the country provide ongoing support to the families of SVO fighters and communists who heroically died on the front lines.

Yuri Afonin also spoke about the work of the CPRF to preserve historical memory and perpetuate the feat of the heroes of our time. Thus, an exhibition dedicated to Rostislav Zhuravlev, a war correspondent and communist who died on the front lines while performing his official duty, was recently opened in the State Duma. The exhibition was organized on the initiative of the CPRF and his mother, Lyudmila Zhuravleva.

Rostislav went through the most dangerous sections of the front and was awarded by the Union of Journalists of Russia for his bravery. But the exhibition in the Duma is not just a story about his fate. It is a tribute to the memory of all the soldiers and war correspondents who died for the Motherland, a living testimony that the truth will be preserved, and the feat of the heroes will forever remain in the history of the country.

A separate part of Yuri Vyacheslavovich’s speech was devoted to changes in public consciousness. “We are now seeing not just nostalgia for the past, but a conscious choice by millions of citizens in favor of the socialist path of development,” he noted.

This trend is also confirmed by sociological research data. In recent years, the share of supporters of socialism has grown from 26 to 43%, while support for the capitalist model has fallen to 15%. The mood of young people is especially indicative. Despite the fact that they only know the pioneers from the stories of the older generation, two-thirds of young people are in favor of their return. 63% of Russians positively assess Stalin’s role in the Victory in the Great Patriotic War - this is a record figure in two decades.

“The growing demand for justice and socialist changes is an objective reality. But this is precisely why the pressure on the CPRF is increasing: the government is responding with restrictions and information attacks. Right-wing projects are being artificially activated, designed to blur the protest agenda and distract people from the genuine alternative,” emphasized Yuri Afonin.

In this situation, the party’s explanatory work becomes especially important. One of its main instruments is the People’s Referendum, initiated by the CPRF.

The referendum became a nationwide form of discussion of the key legislative initiatives of the CPRF: limiting trade markups, establishing order in the housing and utilities sector, nationalizing strategic industries, returning the retirement age, establishing benefits for “children of war”. 2.5 million people have already expressed their support for fair changes.

“The people’s referendum allows us to have an open conversation with people, to convey to them the essence of our program and legislative activity,” Yuri Vyacheslavovich noted. He recalled that the party faces the task of gaining the support of 12-13 million voters. “This requires large-scale, systematic work of the entire party activists and the personal involvement of each communist. It is persistence, personal example and responsibility that will become the key to success,” he emphasized.

One of the most important areas of work remains strengthening the party ranks and doubling the number of party activists. This is especially relevant in the run-up to the 2025 election cycle, which will include more than 50 campaigns - including gubernatorial elections in 20 regions, elections to legislative assemblies in 11 subjects of the Federation, as well as 23 campaigns for city Dumas.

Yuri Afonin emphasized that this electoral cycle will be a direct prologue to the State Duma elections in 2026, which will determine the country’s political course for the next five years. It is already important to focus on forming strong teams and working in districts.

At the same time, Yuri Vyacheslavovich noted that even the most thoughtful program and high level of support will not bring results without effective mobilization of supporters. “We must reach every voter in order to move together towards the revival of the country and strengthening justice,” he said.

Summing up, Yuri Afonin emphasized: the CPRF is entering a new political stage with a clear ideological position, a powerful program and broad support from millions of citizens. The 19th Congress should strengthen the unity of the party, confirm its commitment to the socialist course and become an important step in the struggle for the future of a strong and independent Russia.

At the end of the meeting, Yuri Vyacheslavovich answered numerous questions and wished the students of the Center for Political Studies successful application of the knowledge they had acquired in their work on the ground.