In light of today’s “major setback” for prosecutors pushing Operation Influencer, President Marcelo has quipped that “it is starting to look like there will be a Portuguese on the European Council…” Refusing to comment on the decision by Lisbon Appeal Court judges, Marcelo was referring to the much brighter chances now of former Socialist prime minister António Costa being selected for a top job in Brussels. With ‘suspicions of favoritism’ still technically hanging over him, the fact that judges have – for the second time – looked at all the evidence and decided there are no strong (or even weak) indications of any kind of crime, chances are those suspicions will quickly ‘evaporate’.
President quips “it is starting to look like there will be a Portuguese on the European Council”
The final photo on António Costas 'X' (formerly Twitter) page after he stood down as prime minister. He has since been elected to the role of President of the European Council, which he will be taking up in December. Image: @antoniocostapm
