Prime Minister António Costa said in Brussels on Thursday that he was not surprised by the resignation of British Prime Minister Liz Truss.
“I’m not really surprised”said Costa, asking about Truss’ resignation at the entrance of the European Council meeting.
The president of the republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said he feared that the resignation of Liz Truss would “have repercussions on the financial markets” and affect other parts of Europe and the world.
Responding to journalists in Dublin, during his state visit to Ireland, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed concern over the resignation the British Prime Minister has offered to the monarch of the United Kingdom, Carlos III, after 44 days of rule.
“I see it with concern because, like any factor of instability, the replacement of a prime minister in such a short time could have repercussions on the financial markets and affect other realities at European and global level”declared.
The head of state stressed that this resignation in a “particularly relevant” country takes place “at a time when there are already so many factors of instability” as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Certainly with a financial market like London’s, it doesn’t stop us at the moment”reinforced, adding: “Having doubts now or taking corrective action in the financial markets to prevent further instability is actually not good news”.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa noted that he respected “the sovereignty of the British state” and avoided commenting on the internal political situation of Portugal’s “oldest ally”.
However, he noted that this “it’s a bad time to have any kind of crisis in partners, in allies and in very important elements like the UK, a big part of the global economic and financial system”.
When asked if he thinks Portugal could be affected by what happens in the UK, he replied: “No, I really hope not. When I talk about the global effect, on investor expectations, on the expectations of the markets, it’s more in that sense than the influence in Portugal.”
British Prime Minister Liz Truss announced on Thursday that she has submitted her resignation to King Charles III, ending a government that had been in office for 44 days.
In a statement outside Downing Street’s official London residence, he said a successor would be found by the end of next week.
“I recognize that given the situation, I cannot fulfill the term for which I have been elected by the Conservative Party. Therefore, I have spoken to His Majesty the King to inform him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party. “said Liz Truss.
Source: DN
