China's outgoing leader, Hu Jintao, and his likely successor, Xi Jinping, are pushing the Communist Party to adopt more a more democratic process for selecting new leadership. The move is said to be an attempt to boost the popular legitimacy of the Party which has been struggling due to increasing inequality, corruption, and environmental degradation. Hu and Xi proposed that when the 18th Congress opens they should hold elections for the Politburo which will have more candidates than seats for the first time. One source is quoted as saying "Hu wants expanding intra-party democracy to be one of his legacies," and also said that "it would be good for Xi's image." Cheng Li, from the Brookings Institution in Washington, said it is a very important development and would provide a new source of legitimacy; Li and other experts remain skeptical that the proposal would be adopted because it could be vetoed by party elders and/or conservatives.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/06/us-china-congress-idUSBRE8A50J420121106
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