President of Portuguese environment agency Nuno Lacasta has now officially stepped down from the role he had for 11 years, three months since being cited as an official suspect in the probe into alleged cronyism and influence trafficking (Operation Influencer) which toppled António Costa’s absolute majority PS Socialist government. According to Expresso today, Lacasta was given praise by minister of the environment, Duarte Cordeiro – a minister who has chosen not to run in the coming elections because he too is under suspicion in a number of ongoing cases, including reportedly Influencer.
APA president steps down, to praise from outgoing minister
Nuno Lacasta's years heading APA have been checkered by controversy. Says Esquerda website: "Since 2012 at the head of the APA, Nuno Lacasta has been repeatedly criticised by environmentalists. The Left Bloc called for his resignation in 2018. From oil prospecting in Aljezur to EDP's dams, Celtejo's pollution and the lithium and data center deals in Sines, APA's decisions have been contested". Image: Mário Cruz/ Lusa
