splashed by a corruption affair, the socialist Prime Minister resigns

It was one too many. After numerous scandals, the latest of which concerns a corruption affair, the Portuguese Prime Minister, Antonio Costa, announced on Tuesday November 7 that he had submitted his resignation. It was immediately accepted by the Portuguese head of state, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. The president then summoned the parties represented in Parliament with a view to organizing an early vote, according to a press release released by the Portuguese presidency.

The affair which cost socialist Antonio Costa his job after almost eight years in power, concerns suspicions of “embezzlement, active and passive corruption of political office holders and influence peddling” in the context of the allocation of lithium exploration and hydrogen production licenses. Tuesday morning, searches were carried out in the official residence of the Prime Minister, in several homes, in ministries and law offices, according to the prosecution.

Repeated scandals

This is not the first time that the socialist finds himself in a delicate position. After his large electoral victory in January 2022, the former Prime Minister saw his popularity plummet due to repeated scandals. One of the most notable is “TAPgate”, named after the public airline. More than a dozen ministers and secretaries of state have already left their posts because of this affair.