Portugal: Portuguese President Mr. Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has dissolved the country’s parliament and called snap elections. The move comes two days after the Portuguese Prime Minister resigned amid a corruption investigation.
“I have chosen to dissolve the Assembly of the Republic and hold elections on March 10,” Mr. Rebelo de Sousa stated.
The announcement comes after Socialist Prime Minister Mr. Antonio Costa offered his resignation following the arrest of his chief of staff as part of an anti-corruption investigation, including allegations of malfeasance and influence peddling.
The 62-year-old Mr. Costa, who first took power in 2015, denied any wrongdoing but added that he could no longer continue in his role.
Earlier, the state prosecutor’s office stated that the country’s Supreme Court is investigating the “use of the Prime Minister’s name and his involvement to unlock the activities being investigated.”
“I totally trust the justice system. If there are suspicions, then the judicial authorities are free to look into them. I am not above the law,” Mr. Costa shared.
According to Portuguese law, an election must take place within 60 days of the issuing of a presidential decree dissolving parliament.
Mr. Rebelo de Sousa had previously stated that he would only disband parliament, where the Socialist Party holds a majority of seats, after a vote on the budget for 2024. After recent meetings with the main political parties and the Council of State, a consultative body, the President commented that allowing lawmakers time to pass the budget will help “meet the expectations of many Portuguese people.”
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