Portugal’s Prime Minister Costa has resigned. The background is corruption investigations surrounding the head of government. Police had previously searched Costa’s residence as well as two ministries and other buildings.
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has resigned amid corruption investigations. In a nationally televised speech, the socialist politician said that “under these circumstances, of course, he had offered his resignation to the President of the Republic.” His conscience is clear and he wants to cooperate with the justice system. Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has accepted his resignation, said Costa.
The background is corruption investigations in connection with the issuing of mining licenses for lithium and the production of green hydrogen. Prosecutors said Costa himself was also being investigated. He has been head of the Socialist Party since 2015, which won an absolute majority in 2022.
Searches and arrests
On Tuesday, Costa’s residence, the environment and infrastructure ministries and other buildings were searched. According to Portuguese media reports, five people were arrested, including the head of the cabinet, Vítor Escaría. In addition, the mayor of the city of Sines, Nuno Mascarenhas, and three entrepreneurs were arrested.
In addition, according to the public prosecutor’s office, the Minister of Infrastructure João Galamba and Nuno Lacasta, President of the Board of Directors of the Portuguese Environment Agency, are also listed as suspects.
Large lithium deposits in the north of Portugal
The Montalegre region in the far north of the country is believed to have the largest lithium deposits in Europe, which are to be mined despite great resistance from the local population. The metal is important for the production of batteries.
In the city of Sines, south of the capital Lisbon, so-called green hydrogen will be produced in a coal-fired power plant that will be closed in 2021 using renewable energies.