Portuguese Prime Minister resigns amid corruption scandal
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigns amid corruption scandal (Photo: twitter.com/antoniocostapm)
Prime Minister of Portugal António Costa has decided to resign after police conducted searches at his residence in connection with a corruption case, according to Politico and Diario de Noticas.
Corruption Scandal
Today, on November 7, in addition to searches at Costa's residence, the police arrested his administration chief, Vitor Escaria, said Portugal's attorney general.
A statement from the prosecutor's office said that an investigation is underway into Costa's involvement in schemes related to lithium extraction in northern Portugal and a project for the production of "green hydrogen" in the city of Sines.
The Portuguese government, under the leadership of the prime minister, has supported numerous projects for lithium extraction in various regions of Portugal. Still, they have proven dubious due to the low quality of the extracted elements and the disproportionate environmental damage expected from their implementation.
Costa's reaction
Reacting to the allegations against him, Costa stated that he has no unlawful actions on his conscience.
The official also emphasized that "the position of prime minister is incompatible with any suspicions about his honesty."
Costa has been leading the government of Portugal since 2015.
