Due to his involvement in corruption, Portugal’s Prime Minister António Costa has announced his resignation within a few hours of his Chief of Staff’s arrest. Prosecutors have stated that Costa will be investigated separately. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa confirmed this in a televised statement with him on Tuesday.
Costa, 62 years old, has been a prominent figure in Portugal’s socialist party since 2015. He has denied all allegations against him.
He stated, “I have faith in the judicial system. If there are any doubts, the judicial authorities can investigate… I am not above the law.”
President Marcelo is on his way to accept the Prime Minister’s resignation letter. Opposition parties have immediately called on the government to resign.
A few hours before the Prime Minister’s announcement, Portuguese police arrested the Chief of Staff, Vitor Escária, in connection with corruption. He was apprehended during a campaign of raids in several government buildings related to the corruption investigation.
Prosecutors are considering Environment Minister João Galamba as a suspect and have arrested the Chief of Staff. The head of the country’s environmental agency is also under suspicion.
The Prosecutor General’s office has mentioned that the country’s Supreme Court will examine the use of the Prime Minister’s name and his involvement in the matter.
