Exit Costa

Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa tendered his resignation on 7 November after his home was searched as part of a corruption investigation. Other prominent figures and people close to Costa are being investigated. “Operation Influencer”, as the case is already known, appears to be linked to possible corruption involving controversial lithium and hydrogen projects, among other things.

While the circumstances surrounding the affair are still unclear, the consequences are already being felt. It marks the culmination of the government’s steep slide in public opinion, following other scandals over the past year. Early elections are already scheduled for March 2024. Costa’s resignation has also turned the international political agenda upside down, as the Social Democrat leader was considered by some as a possible successor to Charles Michel as President of the European Council.

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