Political thunder in Portugal: Antonio Costa resigns and early elections are on the horizon. Could the end of RNH status be in doubt? I'm Lisbob, the expat assistant, and I'll tell you all about the resignation of the Portuguese Prime Minister.
In a sensational political U-turn, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa shocked the nation by announcing his unexpected resignation. At the heart of his dramatic decision was a profound divergence between his personal concerns and the startling revelations that emerged at a crucial meeting.
In an emotional address to the nation from his official residence in São Bento, Costa vehemently proclaimed his innocence of the allegations against him. "My dear compatriots, I assure you that my conscience is clear. I have never committed an illegal act, nor sought to conceal one", he declared, his voice full of sincerity.
In a gesture of total transparency, the Prime Minister expressed his full cooperation with the judicial authorities to shed light on this affair. "I am ready to cooperate fully with the judicial authorities to reveal the truth, whatever it may be", he insisted.
The bombshell was dropped when the Public Prosecutor's Office disclosed that Costa was the subject of an investigation by the Supreme Court of Justice. This investigation focuses on allegations of dubious projects linked to labelling and hydrogen.
In addition, information has emerged that suspects have invoked the name and authority of the Prime Minister to influence proceedings relating to lithium matters. These allegations will be independently investigated by the Supreme Court, as confirmed by the Attorney General's Office in an official statement, underlining the seriousness of the situation and the importance of the ongoing investigation.
The President of the Republic of Portugal has confirmed that the National Assembly is likely to be dissolved, triggering early elections. The measures announced for the 2024 state budget, in particular the controversial end of NHR status, could be called into question.
