The socialist politician had been in power since 2015, but his popularity was undermined by a series of scandals.
“The functions of prime minister are not compatible with any suspicion regarding my integrity. Under these circumstances, I have presented my resignation to the President of the Republic,” Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Costa declared to the press.
Sousa’s office announced shortly after that the conservative president “accepted” the resignation and that he called a meeting of the parties with parliamentary representation for Wednesday to organize early elections.
What is the corruption case about?
The investigation involving Costa, who was one of the few socialists at the head of a government in Europe, is related to suspicions of “embezzlement, active and passive corruption of public officials and influence peddling” in the attribution of concessions for mines. lithium and hydrogen production.
The Portuguese Prosecutor’s Office raided several ministries and the prime minister’s residence on Tuesday and reported the indictment of the Minister of Infrastructure, Joao Galamba.
He also indicated that “the name and authority of the prime minister were mentioned by the suspects.”
He specified that Costa had intervened “to unblock files” and that the accusations against him will be examined in an independent investigation.