A big mistake is not without consequences. On Tuesday, November 7, Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa resigned from the government after eight years in power following a corruption investigation.
In the context of this scandal, which led to the indictment of one of his ministers and his chief of staff, the socialist Antonio Costa announced his resignation, declaring that “the duties of the prime minister are not compatible with any suspicion surrounding him.” [son] safety. » Resignation accepted by the conservative President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
But on Monday, November 13, there was a development. The Public Prosecution admitted the error due to the similarity of the Prime Minister's name with another minister. Prime Minister António Costa is not involved, because it is in fact Economy Minister António Costa Silva who is the target. according to euronewsthe error occurred in the transcription of the wiretapping of the “influencer” operation that led to the downfall of the Portuguese government.
“I was surprised” by the opening of this investigation
In one conversation that sparked accusations of corruption and influence peddling, a lawyer and friend of Prime Minister Diogo Lacerda Machado tries to push for a deal and mentions Antonio Costa's name, but he is talking about the Minister of Economy. Only a few days later, while in pretrial detention, the lawyer realized the misunderstanding and warned the judges.
If the Prime Minister said that he was “surprised” that an investigation was opened against him, then this incident does not call into question his resignation. Indeed, Antonio Costa has been monitored since 2020 in other investigations in which he is allegedly involved.
Its popularity has declined significantly in recent months, in particular due to “TAPgate”, named after the Portuguese general airline. More than a dozen ministers and ministers of state have left their positions since the case was revealed.
