BY SCOTT KIRK · NOVEMBER 7, 2023
António Costa Announces Resignation The Prime Minister announced his resignation from the position to the nation this Tuesday after being involved in a widespread corruption probe.
The Prime Minister submitted his resignation to the President of the Republic and to the Portuguese people after a lengthy speech regarding his dignity broadcasted live to all Portuguese news channels at 2:00 pm this Tuesday.
The decision follows searches conducted this morning by the Public Ministry at the official residence of the Prime Minister and ministries involved in lithium exploitation businesses in Montalegre. António Costa will be subject to an independent investigation by the Supreme Court of Justice – the superior court with jurisdiction to do so, given that he is a high-ranking state official.
The announcement was made by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), in a statement, which mentions that, “during the investigations” into government members and businessmen involved in a case investigating businesses related to lithium exploitation in Montalegre, there was “knowledge of the invocation by suspects of the Prime Minister’s name and authority and his intervention to unblock procedures in the aforementioned context.”
“Obviously, I presented my resignation to the President of the Republic,” said António Costa, live to the Portuguese people.
The Minister of Infrastructure, João Galamba, has been made an official suspect, along with the president of the directive council of the Portuguese Environment Agency, as mentioned in the statement sent to newsrooms.