PORTUGAL

Socialist Costa stepped down after corruption investigation

Socialist Prime Minister António Costa, who led Portugal since 2015, stepped down following a corruption investigation that implicated his chief of staff and one of his ministers. The controversy surrounding Costa’s resignation deepened when it was revealed that Portugal’s Public Prosecutor’s Office had mistakenly confused his name with that of Economy Minister António Costa Silva in the transcript of wiretaps from the “Operation Influencer” investigation. This mistake was discovered during questioning, with prosecutors admitting the error.

Costa, who won a landslide re-election last year, addressed the nation shortly after the police raid, stating he could not continue in his position despite asserting his innocence. The investigation involved allegations of corruption, influence peddling, and malfeasance related to lithium mining concessions and plans for a green hydrogen plant and data center in Portugal. While Costa will remain as a caretaker prime minister until new elections in March, the fallout from the wiretaps and the broader investigation has severely impacted his government.

Full article here:
August 2024 –  Washington USA