In 1929, the 5th Congress of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia is in the preparation. The Politburo Central Committee member Klement Gottwald openly criticizes the party's current leadership for political intrigues with the bourgeoisie when it should be leading the workers in their revolutionary struggle. He predicts a looming crisis in the party. The young members agree with him entirely, while the older and more conservative ones are afraid of the discord.