The president of Portugal opts for the electoral advance after the resignation of Costa due to an alleged case of corruption

2023-11-09 21:05:19

The president of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousahas finally decided to opt for one electoral progress in response to the political crisis open to the country with the resignationTuesday, of the socialist Antonio Costa as prime minister, investigated for alleged irregularities in the granting of mining licenses liti mines and produce green hydrogen. The president has set the call for elections for March 10.

Rebelo has announced the decision to the public in a televised intervention after consulting, on Wednesday, all the political parties with parliamentary representation and meeting, this Thursday for four hours, the Council of State.

Costa resigned after it became known that he is allegedly being investigated prevarication, active and passive corruption and influence peddling in lithium and hydrogen businesses, although he assured that he has not committed any illegal act.

The socialists, who have an absolute majority, proposed in their meeting with the president to continue governing with a new prime minister, but most of the opposition parties requested that Parliament be dissolved and early elections are called, a scenario that a priori was Rebelo de Sousa’s preference.

The president has chosen to wait for the 2024 budget to be approved – the final vote is scheduled for November 29 – to dissolve the Chamber. The Portuguese Constitution and electoral law state that early elections must be held between 55 and 60 days after the date of dissolution of Parliament is formalized.

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The resignation of Costa, who led the Government since 2015 and was facing the third legislature, the first with absolute majority, has opened a political crisis in Portugal. When he announced his resignation, the socialist stated that he would remain in office until he had a replacement as prime minister.

Increase in the minimum wage

While Rebelo pondered his decision, the Government approved by decree law an increase of minimum wage up to 820 euros (60 more than now) and one update of civil servants’ salaries (52 euros for gross salaries of up to 1,807 euros per month and 3% for superiors) from January 2024. The measures were already known and had been agreed with employers and unions.