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Portugal's PM right-hand man quits over malfeasance accusation

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After being formally accused of malfeasance, Miguel Alves, the right-hand man of Portuguese Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa, resigned as secretary of state.

Alves, the former mayor in the northern Portuguese municipality Caminha has been under investigation since 2019, but Costa appointed him secretary of state assistant for the prime minister two years ago.

Critics pointed fingers at Costa for appointing Alves while he was being investigated.

On Thursday, the country's public prosecutors stated that they had officially charged him.

Alves wrote to Costa resigning saying that he couldn't remain in government after being accused by public prosecutors. Costa accepted Alves' resignation and thanked him.

Alves claimed that the accusations were based on events that occurred in 2015 and 2016, when he was mayor of Caminha.

Publico reported that the accusations were related to contracts he signed in order to favor a company owned and controlled by another Socialist mayor.

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This is part of an ongoing investigation into corruption and abuses of power by leaders and organizations in the area.

Publico claims that Caminha paid €300,000 in rent to finance the construction of an exhibition center while Alves was at power. The centre has yet to be constructed.

Alves stated that he had a clear conscience and was "absolutely convinced" of the legality "of all (his) decisions".

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