Devendra Kumar
Portugal’s Prime Minister Antonio Costa has abruptly resigned after his government was implicated in a widespread corruption inquiry, sending a seismic shockwave through the normally tranquil politics of the European Union member. The 62-year-old Socialist leader, in power since 2015, claimed his innocence but stated in a televised address that “in these circumstances, obviously, I have presented my resignation to the president of the republic.” This dramatic development comes just hours after police arrested his chief of staff, Vitor Escaria, while conducting raids on several public buildings and private properties as part of the investigation.
The state prosecutor’s office revealed that the Supreme Court is examining suspected illicit activities involving the use of Costa’s name and his alleged involvement, and named the Minister of Infrastructure, Joao Galamba, and the head of the environmental agency as suspects. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa quickly accepted Costa’s resignation and will dissolve parliament, paving the way for a new election.
Throughout his announcement, Costa teared up while thanking his family for their support, stating, “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.” He acknowledged that he was not “above the law” and expressed his desire to clear his name.
The investigative judge had issued arrest warrants for Costa’s chief of staff, the mayor of Sines, and three other individuals due to concerns they represented a flight risk and to protect evidence. The judge is investigating alleged malfeasance, corruption of elected officials, and influence peddling related to lithium mine concessions near Portugal’s northern border with Spain and plans for a green hydrogen plant and data center in Sines.
The police raids included the premises of the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Sines town council, private homes, and offices. Portugal’s lithium mines and green hydrogen projects are part of the continent’s green initiative, heavily funded by the European Union, and Costa has been a major backer of these projects.
Costa’s surprise resignation comes after his party’s landslide victory in elections last year, but his government has been plagued by corruption scandals, with ten senior officials leaving their jobs since the 2022 ballot. Costa denied having any prior indication he was being scrutinized by legal authorities, stating, “This is a phase of my life that comes to an end.”