Portugal is preparing for early elections following the resignation of Prime Minister Antonio Costa, facing accusations of corruption. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced that the elections will be held on March 10, 2024. This decision was taken after a meeting with members of the council of state and was supported by a majority of Portuguese, who believe that elections are necessary to restore confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
Antonio Costa’s resignation follows his involvement in a corruption scandal linked to the awarding of concessions for lithium extraction and green hydrogen production. His Minister of Infrastructure, Joao Galamba, has already been charged and his chief of staff, Vitor Escaria, has been arrested.
This affair shook the country and led to a major political crisis. The right and left opposition called for early elections, believing that it was necessary to give the Portuguese a voice to restore the credibility of democratic institutions. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa therefore chose to dissolve the Assembly of the Republic and call elections.
The decision to hold the elections in four months will also allow the government to vote on the state budget for next year, thus ensuring the economic and social stability of the country. The president also expressed his gratitude to Antonio Costa for his availability to continue leading the government until the appointment of a new Prime Minister.
This announcement was welcomed by the right-wing opposition, which believes it is necessary to restore prestige and confidence in democratic institutions. Socialists, meanwhile, expressed their disagreement with the president’s decision, highlighting the international uncertainties facing the country.
In the coming months, the Portuguese will therefore have to decide on the political future of their country. The stakes are high, in particular to restore confidence in institutions and face the economic and social challenges facing Portugal. The early elections of March 10, 2024 will mark a turning point in the political history of the country and will be closely scrutinized by national and international observers.