Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has resigned on Tuesday amidst his involvement in a corruption investigation concerning the allocation of energy-related contracts.
“The duties of prime minister are not compatible with any suspicion of my integrity,” Costa told a press conference after briefly speaking with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa earlier on Tuesday.
“In these circumstances, I have presented my resignation to the president of the Republic,” he added.
Earlier on Tuesday, Portuguese media reported that searches were conducted in various ministries, including Prime Minister Antonio Costa’s offices.
Public prosecutors subsequently announced the indictment of Infrastructure Minister Joao Galamba and the issuance of an arrest warrant for Costa’s chief of staff.
The investigation encompasses allegations of “misuse of funds, active and passive corruption involving political figures, and influence peddling.”
Additionally, a separate inquiry is examining Costa’s alleged personal intervention to expedite the contract processes.
The investigation involves lithium mining concessions in northern Portugal, a hydrogen production project, and a data center planned by Start Campus in Sines, a town located approximately 100 kilometers south of Lisbon.
Due to concerns of flight risk and the potential for ongoing illegal activities, arrest warrants were also issued for the mayor of Sines and two executives from Start Campus.