António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal, resigned from office today because he is being investigated in cases of concessions lithium exploration and hydrogen energy production project.

Speaking to the press, António Costa said that he was fully willing to cooperate with the investigations, and that he was fully aware that throughout his government there had been no illegal or reprehensible acts.

António Costa is being investigated for his lithium exploration concessions in the Romano (Montalegre) and Barroso (Boticas) mines and for a hydrogen power plant project in Sines.

The facts in question could constitute crimes of malfeasance, active and passive corruption of political office holders and influence peddling.

For the resigning minister, who says he was unaware of the investigations, holding office is incompatible with any suspicion.

Costa's resignation has been accepted by the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and he has already convened the Portuguese Parliament for this Wednesday.

António Costa has announced that he will no longer be running for another term.

The Prime Minister's official residence in São Bento and several ministries were searched on Tuesday morning. The operation was carried out by the Central Department of Investigation and Criminal Action (DCIAP) and the PSP.

António Costa's chief of staff, Vítor Escária, businessman and friend of Costa Diogo Lacerda Machado, the mayor, Nuno Mascarenhas, Afonso Salema, CEO of Start Campus de Sines and Rui Oliveira Neves, Legal and Sustainability Director of Start Campus de Sines, were arrested in the police operation.

Other ministers are also expected to be made defendants in this case, such as João Galamba, Duarte Cordeiro (Minister for the Environment) and João Pedro Matos Fernandes (former Minister for the Environment).

In January, Portugal's Attorney General had already confirmed that an investigation was underway.