Portugal's Socialists pledge to raise minimum wage, boost competitiveness

The newly elected Secretary General of Socialist Party, Pedro Nuno Santos, gestures during the 24th Socialist Congress in Lisbon, Portugal, January 7, 2024. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

LISBON (Reuters) - The new leader of Portugal's ruling Socialist Party (PS) Pedro Nuno Santos pledged on Sunday to increase the minimum wage and boost economic competitiveness through more incentives to select sectors, if he wins an election in March.

Socialist Prime Minister Antonio Costa, in office since 2015, resigned on Nov. 7 over an investigation into alleged illegalities in his government's handling of lithium, hydrogen and data centre projects.