41 3.2.5. Party Strengths and Weaknesses The GPC’s current organisational priorities are three-fold: 1. Expanding the party in the regions of former South Yemen; 2. Completing the transition from a loosely organised national con­ference to a true political party with the administrative essentials to function as such; and 3. Encouraging and organising an indirect, as well as direct, debate with opposition parties to maintain and activate the emerging de­mocracy and limited freedoms, while and protecting its gains. This is part of the process to prepare the Yemeni scene for the ensuing Local Council Elections for 2001 and Parliamentary Elections of April 2003. Although the GPC already has both the Presidency and a significant majority in Parliament, it is working to expand its political base in the areas of the former south Yemen, which were previously YSP strong­holds. The party is also working to establish itself organisationally and ideologically as a real political party and to expand its membership base throughout the country. GPC has had to meet the challenge of operat­ing in a multi-party system by democratising party structures and at­tracting membership. Strengths • As the ruling party, the GPC controls the Presidency and has an overwhelming majority in Parliament; • The GPC has the support of military and security organisations as well as the bureaucracy and government institutions; • Significantly it has greater financial resources than any other political party; • Indirect access to all forms of media including radio and televi­sion;