Portugal’s prime minister resigned amid corruption investigations. Now President Rebelo de Sousa has dissolved parliament. There will be new elections on March 10th.
After the resignation of the Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa dissolved parliament and called new elections for March 10. He said this on Thursday night in a speech to the nation after a Council of State meeting in Lisbon.
Socialist Costa resigned unexpectedly on Tuesday due to corruption investigations against him and other members of the government. Rebelo de Sousa also announced that Costa would remain as interim head of government until he was replaced.
The Council of State is a body that has existed in Portugal since 1845 and advises the president. Includes current and former elected officials as well as other personalities.
On Tuesday, Costa denied any guilt, but stressed that the head of Government’s position was incompatible with the suspicion of having committed a crime. The investigation concerns suspected illegal practices such as bribery and profiteering in the granting of concessions for lithium mining and the production of green hydrogen. (APA)