Nov 7, 2023 at 3:59 PM Update: 39 minutes ago
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa resigned on Tuesday amid a police investigation into possible cronyism and corruption.
Costa announced his decision in a televised statement after a meeting with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. He had been summoned to explain the complications in his government.
Earlier on Tuesday, the police searched Costa’s official residence, the São Bento Palace. The office of his chief of staff and the Ministries of the Environment and Infrastructure were also searched.
The case has been bothering Portugal for some time. An investigation into possible illegal deals involving lithium mining and hydrogen production in Portugal was launched at the end of 2019.
Portugal has the largest lithium reserves in Europe. Lithium is a substance that is used for, among other things, the batteries of electric cars. A lot of money is involved in its extraction and companies from home and abroad are therefore keen to participate.
Police made at least five arrests in the investigation on Tuesday. This concerns the prime minister’s chief of staff, two managers of the companies involved, a businessman and a mayor. Infrastructure Minister João Galamba has also been charged.
Costa himself says he is surprised by the charges and that he has a clear conscience.
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2023-11-07 14:59:24
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