After Prime Minister António Costa is under investigation for alleged corruption, new elections will be held in Portugal in March. The head of government had already resigned.
After the resignation of Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa dissolved parliament and called a new election for March 10th. He said this on Thursday evening in a speech to the nation after a meeting of the Council of State in Lisbon.
The socialist Costa unexpectedly resigned on Tuesday because of corruption investigations against himself and other members of the government. Rebelo de Sousa also announced that Costa would remain acting head of government until he was replaced. The Council of State is a body that has existed in Portugal since 1845 and advises the president. It includes current and former elected officials as well as other personalities.
On Tuesday, Costa denied any guilt, but emphasized that the head of government’s position was incompatible with the suspicion that he had committed a crime. The investigation concerns suspicions of illegal practices such as bribery and taking advantage in the awarding of concessions for lithium mining and in the production of green hydrogen.