1 of 1 The Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa Photo: Portal/Piroschka Van De Wouw The Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa Photo: Portal/Piroschka Van De Wouw
According to the Portuguese newspaper “Público”, the Portuguese police carried out a search and seizure operation on Tuesday (7) at the home of the country’s Prime Minister António Costa.
According to “Público” it is Costa’s chief of staffVítor Escária, was arrested by police as part of the same operation State Department investigations Portuguese via a alleged irregular plan for lithium exploration and green hydrogen sales by the local government (more on this below).
The Portuguese government had not yet confirmed the Costa House is serving his third term, was the target of the operation and no arrests were made as of the last update to this report. But he confirmed that the Among the locations where police conducted searches were the ministry headquarters and the home of the chief of staff.
The Portuguese Ministry of State, which opened the investigation in January, said this was the case One of those interviewed is the Portuguese Minister of Infrastructure João Galamba if. And that first time that the prosecutors reveal the names of those allegedly involved.
The Environment Ministry confirmed to the Portuguese state news agency Lusa that police had searched its headquarters in Lisbon.
The Portuguese press also reports that, in addition to the chief of staff, four other people were arrested:
- an adviser close to the prime minister;
- the president of the Sines City Council;
- and two executives from companies linked to the alleged scheme.
As a result of the operation, António Costa’s opponents demanded that the prime minister resign or, if he refuses, the country’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, dissolve parliament and call new elections.
After the operation was confirmed, António Costa met with Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and, according to Público, the two canceled their appointments for that day.
Sousa is serving his third term the strongest of them in January 2022, after the dissolution of his then coalition government, won the elections with an absolute majority and since then he has ruled without the need of alliances.