Prime Minister Joseph Muscat could be stepping down within the next few months, after two leading newspapers both ran stories over his potential resignation.

Both Malta Today and The Sunday Times of Malta ran reports that Muscat could be stepping down in 2020,  buying his time until closure is achieved in the Daphne Caruana Galizia assassination.

Sources have been quoted as saying that Muscat has informed insiders of his decision.

However, sources also warned that Muscat may be forced out of his position earlier, should the well-established links between Yorgen Fenech, the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Keith Schembri, and Minister Konrad Mizzi be in any way related to the murder.

Muscat has been under the spotlight ever since the murder, receiving criticism for his clear conflicts in the case, anointing himself with many hats in this investigation, despite his serious conflicts of interest.

A flurry of presidential pardons, all seemingly being discussed without the knowledge of cabinet, is also proving Muscat’s growing power in the country.

Sources within the PL’s parliamentary group were quoted as raising concerns over the huge amount of information Muscat has on the case, especially given the roles of Mizzi and Schembri. However, many still believed that stepping down now could create a further crisis during this critical juncture for Malta.

The possibility of an early election has not been ruled out, with some warning of a possible power move by Muscat to consolidate his power further.

Muscat has repeatedly said he would step down before the end of this legislature.   However, at this point, it’s not seeming like a choice at all.

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