Xi Jinping: A Dictator in Making

According to sources, the third term for Xi Jinping as the President of China seems inevitable. Although the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is facing challenges of economic slowdown and other internal issues, Xi appears well positioned to tighten his grip on power at the CCP’s 20th National Congress in the coming Autumn.

This year was challenging for CCP and its general secretary, Xi Jinping, due to many factors. The demographic cycle shifting downwards, declined growth, crumbling real estate sector, failed policies, rift with the U.S over the Taiwan issue, and soaring unemployment is putting the party and Xi under pressure. The “China Dream” concept of Xi Jinping when he was elected as the president on 2012 has started fading. Xi suffers from several internal inconsistencies that reduce the effectiveness of his leadership. There is a conflict between his beliefs and actions, his public declarations of wanting to make China a superpower, and his behavior as a domestic ruler.

On the other hand, Xi’s allies dominate significant territorial positions and the key functional areas of the government, giving him an upper hand compared to his opponents. The most important rivals to Xi and his allies are the Tuanpai, officials who rose through the Communist Youth League. But these leaders have been side-lined from the front-line politics during Xi’s first two terms.