Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has resigned amid an investigation into alleged irregularities committed by his administration in the country's management of lithium and hydrogen mining projects.

Costa announced his decision in a live message on national TV after meeting President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

"In recent years I have dedicated myself with my soul and heart to serving the Portuguese", began the prime minister. Regarding the investigation, he said he was "confident in the functioning of justice". "I want to tell the Portuguese, looking them in the eyes, that I do not have the burden of any illicit act on my conscience." However, he added, " the dignity of the functions of prime minister is not compatible with any suspicion of his integrity, his good conduct and even less with the suspicion of the practice of any criminal act ."

The prime minister also declared his willingness to collaborate with the investigators, finally thanking the Portuguese, the Socialist Party and his wife

Costa is involved in the investigation into projects with unclear outlines, according to the prosecutor's office, in the field of green energy: green hydrogen in Sines and the lithium mines in Montalegre. This morning's searches at the Ministries of the Environment and Infrastructure , Minister João Galamba officially accused of corruption and abuse of office, the prime minister's head of cabinet arrested, and finally the news that Costa was also involved in the investigation , they convinced the socialist leader to present his resignation to the President of the Republic.

(Unioneonline/L)