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Labour MPs Meet At Prime Minister’s Residence To Discuss Joseph Muscat’s Exit

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Labour MPs are convening at the Prime Minister’s summer residence of Girgenti to discuss Joseph Muscat’s impending exit.

The Prime Minister has been under immense pressure to resign and media were recently informed that he plans to step down imminently, just over two years before the next general election is due.

Labour MPs are now discussing whether he should leave immediately or stay on until January, when the party will hold a leadership election. If he leaves immediately, he is likely to be replaced by deputy Prime Minister Chris Fearne.

Muscat’s resignation follows a dramatic series of events that took place since Fenech, one of Malta’s most renowned businessmen, was arrested last week in connection with the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia as he tried to flee the island.

In an attempt to acquire a pardon, Fenech implicated the Prime Minister’s chief of staff Keith Schembri, who resigned from his post shortly before he too was arrested.

Their mutual doctor Adrian Vella is reported to have acted as a secret messenger, passing on a message from Schembri to Fenech, urging him not to expose him to the police while the latter was in hospital for chest pains. Vella was arrested but later released.

The police also released Schembri, without providing an explanation other than that they didn’t find evidence against him, and Cabinet refused Fenech’s request for a pardon. However, Cabinet sources informed Lovin Malta that a number of ministers were vocally furious at the way Schembri was released from custody.

Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi resigned and Economy Minister Chris Cardona suspended himself, with the latter asking Parliament for protection in light of reports that Schembri and Fenech had plotted to blame him for Caruana Galizia’s murder. Speaker Anglu Farrugia shot down his request.

Muscat was given a vote of confidence by his parliamentary group and the Labour Party’s executive but reports continued to swirl that he was set on resigning regardless. In recent days, Muscat said that he is determined to make sure the murder is solved under watch and that he will make political considerations once arraignments are complete and the “chapter is closed”.

After Fenech’s arraignment yesterday, people are now waiting for Muscat to make an official statement.

READ NEXT: One Of Malta's Most Dangerous Roads Is Getting A €1.6 Million Safety Upgrade

Tim is interested in the rapid evolution of human society and is passionate about justice, human rights and cutting-edge political debates. You can follow him on Instagram or Twitter/X at @timdiacono or reach out to him at [email protected]

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