Portugal Prime Minister, Antonio Costa Resigns Over Corruption Scandal

The Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, has announced his resignation amid a corruption scandal involving energy contracts.

“The duties of prime minister are not compatible with any suspicion of my integrity. In these circumstances, I have presented my resignation to the President of the Republic,” Costa noted during a press conference on Tuesday.

Naija News understands that Costa must wait for the President to accept his resignation formally.

Reports say Costa made the announcement hours after Portuguese police arrested his chief of staff and conducted raids on public buildings and properties as part of a widespread corruption probe.

The state prosecutor’s office revealed that the Supreme Court was also investigating the suspects’ alleged use of the prime minister’s name and his involvement in the practices under scrutiny. Despite the allegations, the 62-year-old Costa, Portugal’s Socialist leader since 2015, maintained his innocence and became emotional as he expressed gratitude to his family for their unwavering support over the years.

“I totally trust the justice system. I want to say eye to eye to the Portuguese that my conscience is clear of any illicit or censured act.

“If there are suspicions, then the judicial authorities are free to look into them … I am not above the law,” Costa reportedly said.

Arrest warrants were issued by an investigative judge for Vítor Escária, Costa’s chief of staff, the mayor of the town of Sines, and three others due to concerns of them being a flight risk and to safeguard evidence, as stated by the prosecutor’s office.

Among those implicated were the Minister of Infrastructure João Galamba and the head of the country’s environmental agency, according to the statement.

The judge is investigating allegations of misconduct, corruption of elected officials, and influence peddling with lithium mine concessions near Portugal’s northern border with Spain, as well as plans for a green hydrogen plant and data centre in Sines, located on the south coast.

The raids encompassed various locations, including the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Sines town council, private residences, and offices.

The prosecutor’s office revealed that the investigation had uncovered instances where the “suspects invoked the name of the prime minister” while engaging in their alleged illicit activities.

Portugal’s lithium mines and green hydrogen projects are integral to the European Union’s green initiative, which is being actively promoted.

Costa expressed that he had not received any prior indication of being under scrutiny by legal authorities.

“This is a phase of my life that comes to an end,” he said.