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The original was posted on /r/worldnews by /u/yeoz on 2023-11-07 16:10:13.
Portuguese prime minister resigns after being caught up in corruption probe
Submitted 2 years ago by bot@lemmit.online [bot] to worldnews@lemmit.online
https://apnews.com/article/portugal-corruption-arrests-costa-935d9f33c9e5179e920dc7e1bcd95eea
autotldr@lemmings.world [bot] 2 years ago
This is the best summary I could come up with:
LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa resigned Tuesday after his government was involved in a widespread corruption probe, sending a shock wave through the normally tranquil politics of the European Union member.
The 62-year-old Costa, Portugal’s Socialist leader since 2015, asserted his innocence but said in a nationally televised address that “in these circumstances, obviously, I have presented my resignation to the president of the republic.”
The state prosecutor’s office said the Supreme Court was examining suspects’ “use of the prime minister’s name and his involvement” when carrying out allegedly illicit activities.
An investigative judge had issued arrest warrants for Vítor Escária, Costa’s chief of staff; the mayor of the town of Sines; and three others because they represented a flight risk and to protect evidence, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
The judge is investigating alleged malfeasance, corruption of elected officials and influence peddling related to lithium mine concessions near Portugal’s northern border with Spain and plans for a green hydrogen plant and data center in Sines on the south coast.
But in December 2022, his infrastructure and housing minister was forced to quit amid an outcry over a 500,000-euro ($533,000) compensation payment made to a board member of state-owned flag carrier TAP Air Portugal.
The original article contains 539 words, the summary contains 210 words. Saved 61%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!