The SA Communist Party has pledged to throw its full weight behind the ANC-led alliance in order to ensure an overwhelming victory in next year general elections.

"SACP is committed to participate fully and energetically in the 2009 elections," SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande said on Sunday.

Nzimande, briefing journalists at the end of the year SACP conference in Johannesburg, said the prospects of an election victory included strengthening and forging the alliance.

Nzimande said the SACP would continue to engage with the ANC on its manifesto.

Commenting on the upcoming alliance economic summit, the SACP said the Reserve Bank policy on inflation targeting was not working and the summit was an opportunity for the alliance to discuss a better policy.

Nzimande said a review of inflation targeting was fundamental.

There was a need for a vigorous rural development strategy and full security, he said.

A political council

The SACP is also calling for the establishment of a political council within its alliance with the ANC and Cosatu, Nzimande said on Sunday.

Nzimande said it was necessary to set up the council that would comprise senior officials of the tripartite alliance.

"This senior body would sit regularly as a key co-ordinating body that would drive the alliance's common programmes," Nzimande said.

He said the "reconfigured" alliance would strengthen the tripartite alliance.

SACP deputy secretary general Jeremy Cronin said the ANC had spoken about the renewal of the alliance because it was aware of the "highly unstable" manner in which the alliance had been functioning .

Commenting on the recent events that led to President Thabo Mbeki's resignation, Cronin said the SACP felt vindicated since it had initially called for Mbeki's recall in May.

"We made the call in May on a political judgment. We had many differences with Mbeki over the years. Hopefully now we can put the issue behind us and focus on bigger issues," Cronin said.