Portugese PM Antonio Costa resigns over corruption charges
His chief of staff was detained in the lithium deal probe
Web Desk
Updated: November 07, 2023
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa leaves after a news conference in Lisbon, Portugal | AP
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigned on Tuesday after being involved in a widespread corruption probe. Costa announced his decision in a televised address after meeting President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Costa stepped down after his chief of staff was detained in a probe into alleged corruption in his administration's handling of lithium mining and hydrogen projects.
"The dignity of the functions of prime minister is not compatible with any suspicion about his integrity, his good conduct and even less with the suspicion of the practice of any criminal act," Costa said.
He also added that his conscience was clear, but he would not stand as candidate for a fourth time as premier.
It is up to the president to decide whether Costa’s Socialists party, who have a majority in parliament, to form a new government or to dissolve parliament and call for an election.
Parliament was due to vote on the 2024 budget bill later this month. Till president’s decision, Costa will remain in his job.
The prosecutor's office said in a statement earlier on Tuesday that five people had been detained as part of the investigation, including Vitor Escaria, Costa's chief of staff, and a business consultant, reported Reuters.
It said Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba and the president of the environment agency APA, Nuno Lacasta, were formal suspects and will appear before a judge.
It was alleged that the suspects used Costa’s name and authority to "unblock procedures" related to the deals.
Amid ongoing probe, Costa said he was "fully available to cooperate" with the justice system.
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigned on Tuesday after being involved in a widespread corruption probe. Costa announced his decision in a televised address after meeting President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
Costa stepped down after his chief of staff was detained in a probe into alleged corruption in his administration's handling of lithium mining and hydrogen projects.
"The dignity of the functions of prime minister is not compatible with any suspicion about his integrity, his good conduct and even less with the suspicion of the practice of any criminal act," Costa said.
He also added that his conscience was clear, but he would not stand as candidate for a fourth time as premier.
It is up to the president to decide whether Costa’s Socialists party, who have a majority in parliament, to form a new government or to dissolve parliament and call for an election.
Parliament was due to vote on the 2024 budget bill later this month. Till president’s decision, Costa will remain in his job.
The prosecutor's office said in a statement earlier on Tuesday that five people had been detained as part of the investigation, including Vitor Escaria, Costa's chief of staff, and a business consultant, reported Reuters.
It said Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba and the president of the environment agency APA, Nuno Lacasta, were formal suspects and will appear before a judge.
It was alleged that the suspects used Costa’s name and authority to "unblock procedures" related to the deals.
Amid ongoing probe, Costa said he was "fully available to cooperate" with the justice system.
Portuguese PM António Costa resigns over lithium deal probe
7th November 2023,
By Ana Nicolaci da Costa
BBC News
Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa 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.
Prosecutors said on Tuesday they were investigating concessions awarded for lithium mines and hydrogen production.
They said detention warrants were issued for five people including Mr Costa's chief of staff, Vítor Escária.
Público newspaper reported that Mr Escária had been detained.
Infrastructure Minister João Galamba has meanwhile been indicted as part of the inquiry into energy deals.
"The dignity of the functions of prime minister is not compatible with any suspicion about his integrity, his good conduct and even less with the suspicion of the practice of any criminal act," the prime minister said in a televised address on Tuesday.
Mr Costa said he was caught by surprise by the corruption investigation but promised to collaborate with it.
"There is no illicit act that weighs on my conscience, or even any censurable act," he added.
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he had accepted the prime minister's resignation and summoned political parties for consultations on Wednesday.
Portugal country profile
Villagers up in arms over plans to mine lithium
The political crisis unfolded after prosecutors published a statement detailing searches in more than 40 different premises as part of the inquiry.
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.
They also searched municipal offices in Sines.
Portugal's main PSI 20 share index was down almost 3% as the political crisis unfolded.
The European Union is keen to reduce its dependence on mines in China, Africa and South America for lithium and other raw materials needed for the green energy transition.
Portugal's lithium reserves are considered central to Europe's increasing demand for electric cars, but exploration projects have faced opposition by some locals.
Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigns amid corruption investigation
Prosecutors earlier arrested Costa’s chief of staff and named Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba as a formal suspect in a corruption probe.
Villagers up in arms over plans to mine lithium
The political crisis unfolded after prosecutors published a statement detailing searches in more than 40 different premises as part of the inquiry.
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.
They also searched municipal offices in Sines.
Portugal's main PSI 20 share index was down almost 3% as the political crisis unfolded.
The European Union is keen to reduce its dependence on mines in China, Africa and South America for lithium and other raw materials needed for the green energy transition.
Portugal's lithium reserves are considered central to Europe's increasing demand for electric cars, but exploration projects have faced opposition by some locals.
Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa resigns amid corruption investigation
Prosecutors earlier arrested Costa’s chief of staff and named Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba as a formal suspect in a corruption probe.
Costa, Portugal's Socialist leader since 2015, defended his innocence
[Ana Brigida/AP Photo]
Published On 7 Nov 20237 Nov 2023
Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has said he is resigning, just hours after prosecutors detained his chief of staff in a probe into alleged corruption in his administration’s handling of lithium mining and hydrogen projects in the country.
Costa, who prosecutors said was the target of a separate investigation, announced the decision in a televised statement after meeting President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on Tuesday.
The 62-year-old Costa, Portugal’s Socialist leader since 2015, defended his innocence.
“I totally trust the justice system,” he said. “If there are suspicions, then the judicial authorities are free to look into them … I am not above the law.”
President de Sousa is expected to accept his resignation.
The opposition has demanded that the government step down with immediate effect.
Hours before the announcement, Portuguese police arrested Vitor Escaria, Costa’s chief of staff, during raids on several public buildings and additional properties as part of the corruption probe.
Prosecutors named Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba as a formal suspect and detained Costa’s chief of staff. The head of the country’s environmental agency was also named as a suspect.
The state prosecutor’s office has said that the country’s Supreme Court is looking at the “use of the prime minister’s name and his involvement to unlock” the activities being investigated.
Activities being explored by the investigating judge include allegations of malfeasance, corruption of elected officials, and influence peddling relating to lithium mine concessions near Portugal’s northern border with Spain, as well as plans for a green hydrogen plant and data centre in the town of Sines, about 100km (62 miles) south of Lisbon.
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
SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
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