PORTUGAL: Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa has announced his resignation after investigators searched his official residence in an inquiry into alleged corruption.
In a televised statement after a meeting with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Costa said he was “surprised” to learn that “a criminal case has already been or will be initiated against me” and insisted that he had not had anything to do with any “illicit or reprehensible act”.
He added that the gravity of the charges for which he is being investigated are “incompatible with the dignity of the office of prime minister,” making it impossible for him to continue in the post.
Prosecutors earlier on Tuesday said that they were investigating concessions awarded for lithium mines and hydrogen production.
Five people have been detained, according to Público newspaper.
Among them are two people seen as close to Mr Costa, including his chief of staff Vítor Escária and a business consultant, Público reports.
Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba has meanwhile been indicted as part of the inquiry into energy deals.
Shortly after Mr Costa gave a televised address, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he had accepted his resignation.
About 140 detectives searched his residence, as well as 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, the deep-water port that is the focus of investment in hydrogen for use as an energy source, BBC report.
