Portugal: Government Resignation to Take Effect on December 7

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced that the resignation of the socialist government will take effect on December 7, following the resignation of Prime Minister António Costa a month earlier due to a corruption scandal involving accusations against his associates. Speaking at a public event in Lisbon, he said, "In principle, the last meeting of the Council of Ministers will be held on the seventh of this month, making the resignation effective that evening." Costa resigned on November 7 after being implicated in a case involving abuse of power. The case concerns allegations of "embezzlement and corruption by holders of political office and abuse of power" related to granting licenses for lithium extraction and green hydrogen production, according to the public prosecutor's office. The socialist prime minister clarified that he would not seek a new term at the helm of the government he has led since 2015. He made his decision following a series of arrests and searches that led to charges against his chief of staff and the Minister of Infrastructure in his government. The President called for early legislative elections on March 10, after accepting Costa's resignation.