Portuguese Prime Minister Resigns over Alleged Corruption
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has resigned after investigators searched his official residence in an inquiry into alleged corruption.
He said he had not been named as a suspect but believed the inquiry was incompatible with staying in office.
President Marcelo De souse said he had accepted the resignation and summoned political parties for consultations.
The political crisis unfolded after prosecutors published a statement detailing searches in more than 40 different premises as part of the inquiry.
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Prosecutors are investigating alleged corruption and influence peddling in lithium mining concessions in Northern Portugal, as well as a hydrogen production project and the planned construction of a data centre in the deep-water port of sines, south of Lisbon.
About 140 detectives searched 17 residential properties and 25 other premises, including the office of the prime minister’s chief of staff and two government ministries.
The hydrogen plant and lithium mines are part of a green initiative backed by the European Union.
In addition to Costa’s chief of staff, arrest warrants were also issued for the mayor of the town of Sines and two executives at the company Start Campus, tasked with building the hydrogen production project and data centre.
