Portugal Interior Minister Macedo quits over corruption probe

Portuguese Interior Minister Miguel Macedo resigned on 16 November 2014 following an investigation into alleged corruption linked to the allocation of residence permits.

Mr Macedo said he was not implicated in the scandal but was resigning to preserve the credibility of state institutions. Police had arrested 11 people, including the head of the country's immigration service, some days before.

Portugal provides "golden visas" to foreigners willing to invest. The main beneficiaries of the fast-track permits have been Chinese citizens who have been investing heavily in Portuguese property. Police said the 11 people detained were suspected of corruption, money-laundering, influence-peddling and embezzlement.

ESO: Background information: The winners and losers of Portugal's golden visa scheme http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-winners-and-losers-of-portugals-golden-visa-scheme/

Euronews, 17.11.14: Portugal’s interior minister quits over ‘golden visa’ corruption probe http://www.euronews.com/2014/11/17/portugal-s-interior-minister-quits-over-golden-visa-corruption-probe/

Público, 17.11.14: Corruption scandal could lead to Portugal's reform (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE153752-Corruption-scandal-could-lead-to-Portugal-s-reform

EurActiv, 17.11.14: Portugese interior minister resigns over ‘golden visas’ scandal http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/portugal-interior-minister-resigns-over-golden-visas-scandal-310066

Público, 18.11.14: Portugal's granting of visas to the rich immoral (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE153841-Portugal-s-granting-of-visas-to-the-rich-immoral

---