Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigns amid corruption scandal
- The PM and others have been embroiled in an investigation over the awarding of energy-related contracts
- Costa will also be probed for allegedly intervening personally to speed up the awarding of licences for lithium exploration and hydrogen production
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced his resignation on Tuesday after he was embroiled in a corruption investigation into the awarding of energy-related contracts.
The probe involving Costa and others covers alleged “misuse of funds, active and passive corruption by political figures, and influence peddling”, according to a statement from public prosecutors.
Costa will also be investigated independently for allegedly intervening personally to speed up the awarding of licences for lithium exploration and hydrogen production, the statement said.
“The duties of prime minister are not compatible with any suspicion of my integrity,” Costa told a press conference. “In these circumstances, I have presented my resignation to the president of the Republic,” he added.
Portugal’s head of state Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa accepted Costa’s resignation and called for a meeting of parliamentary parties on Wednesday with the aim of organising an early election, according to a statement from the Portuguese presidency.