The embattled prime minister of Malta, Joseph Muscat, has resigned, as the the national crisis over the murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia intensifies.
Speaking on television, Muscat said he would step down in the new year and that the ruling Labour Party would begin the process to choose his successor on 12 January.
According to The Guardian, protesters gathered on the streets for Muscat’s address, “marking the conclusion of an emotional and angry demonstration” demanding the PM’s immediate resignation over the inquiry into Caruana Galizia’s death.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The investigative journalist, who had exposed corruption at the highest level in Muscat’s government, was killed in October 2017 after a bomb planted under the driver’s seat of her hire car exploded while she was travelling away from her home in the village of Bidnija.
CNN reports that in what was to be the final entry on her blog Running Commentary, she wrote: “There are crooks everywhere you look now. The situation is desperate.” She had filed a police report 15 days before saying she was being threatened.
On Saturday, Malta’s richest man, the property and gambling tycoon Yorgen Fenech, was charged with Galizia’s murder. Investigators have uncovered links between Fenech and Keith Schembri, who until last week was Muscat’s chief of staff.
According to The Times of Malta, there was this week calls during a six-hour meeting of Muscat’s cabinet for an investigation into Schembri.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In his resignation speech, Muscat expressed “deep regret” for Caruana Galizia’s murder and spoke of the need for a “fresh page”. “The sensations of genuine sadness and anger for this murder are justified”, he said.
“In the same manner, violence, and disorder, within the pretext of a protest, are not justified in a democracy. This case cannot define everything that our country is.”
The Guardian said that though Muscat’s departure brings to an end his seven-year term as the leader of the European Union’s smallest member state, “it is unlikely to draw a line under the scandal engulfing his administration”.
In 2017, Galizia’s family raised concerns over the police probe into her killing, which is being overseen by an officer married to a government minister who was once the focus of critical articles by the journalist.
-
President Trump: ‘waging war’ on ChicagoTalking Point Federal agents are carrying out ‘increasingly aggressive’ immigration raids – but have sanctuary cities like Chicago brought it on themselves?
-
Crossword: October 18, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Sudoku hard: October 18, 2025The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
