The Portuguese President announced that the resignation of the Socialist government would become effective on December 7, a month after the resignation of Prime Minister António Costa, following a corruption scandal that led to charges being brought against those close to him.
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The Portuguese president dissolves parliament and calls for early elections
Conservative President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said today, Saturday, on the sidelines of a public event in Lisbon: “In principle, the last meeting of the Council of Ministers will be held on the seventh of this month, so that the resignation will become effective on the evening of that day.”
Costa submitted his resignation on November 7, after his name was mentioned in an influence abuse case.
The case relates to suspicions of “embezzlement and corruption by those holding political positions and the exploitation of influence” in the context of granting licenses to extract lithium and produce green hydrogen, according to the Public Prosecution.
The Socialist Prime Minister had made clear that he would not seek a new term at the head of the government he has led since 2015.
He announced his decision after a series of arrests and searches, which led to the indictment of his office director and the Minister of Infrastructure in his government.
The President of the Republic called for early legislative elections on March 10, after he accepted Costa's resignation.
However, the president did not make the government's resignation official so that it could approve the 2024 budget. The budget was finally approved on November 29. The socialist government enjoys an absolute majority in Parliament.
The President confirmed that he "decided to extend its period slightly", due to the presence of "important voting processes" linked, in particular, to European funding within the framework of the post-Covid-19 recovery plan. He confirmed that Parliament will be dissolved on January 15.