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Portugal's culture minister resigns over "slaps" threat

Xinhua, April 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

Portugal's culture minister Joao Soares asked to resign on Friday, according to Portuguese Lusa News Agency.

Soares said in a statement sent to the agency that the decision was "in solidarity" with new Prime Minister Antonio Costa and the government, which came into power in November last year.

He also said he was resigning because of his respect for "values of freedom," adding that he did not "accept to forego the right to freedom of expression."

His resignation came after he threatened two local journalists with "slaps" following articles which criticized his role as culture minister and caused backlash on local media.

Soares was an MP from 1987 and he has also been a councillor, MEP, mayor and member of the council of state. Enditem