A Decade Of Resignations: All The High-Profile People Who Were Forced Out Since Labour Took Charge In 2013
Since the Labour Party assumed power in Malta in 2013, several high-profile resignations have occurred within its ranks.
We’re taking a look at each individual resignation, the reasons for their departures and the context surrounding each event.
1. Manuel Mallia (December 2014)
Position: Minister for Home Affairs and National Security
Mallia was dismissed following an incident where his driver was involved in a shooting, with allegations of a cover-up attempt. This was the first major scandal under the watch of former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and raised concerns about accountability and transparency within the government.
2. Michael Falzon (January 2016)
Position: Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Simplification of Administrative Processes
Falzon resigned after a National Audit Office report linked him to a scandal which saw the government pay €1.65 million to Mark Gaffarena for his part ownership of a palazzo in Valletta.
This situation highlighted governance issues and the management of public assets.
3. Konrad Mizzi (November 2019)
Position: Minister for Tourism
Mizzi was implicated in several controversies, including the Vitals Global Healthcare deal and the Panama Papers scandal, but he remained in Cabinet until the end of 2019 when he was forced to resign as part of the broader fallout of the Daphne Caruana Galizia assassination.
4. Keith Schembri (November 2019)
Position: Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat
Schembri was implicated in the Caruana Galizia murder investigation and allegations of corruption and his resignation marked a key moment in Malta’s 2019 political crisis.
5. Joseph Muscat (January 2020)
Position: Prime Minister
Muscat stepped down amid criticism over his handling of the Caruana Galizia murder case and Schembri’s links to the investigation. His resignation reflected significant public pressure and protests for weeks.
6. Lawrence Cutajar (January 2020)
Police Commissioner
Cutajar stepped down shortly after Robert Abela was elected Prime Minister in light of criticism of the police’s handling of major investigations, including the Caruana Galizia case. His resignation was portrayed as part of a broader reform to restore public trust in law enforcement.
7. Peter Grech (September 2020)
Position: Attorney General
The longstanding AG stepped down, partly due to reaching retirement age and health concerns. However, he also faced criticism for his handling of high-profile corruption cases and the Caruana Galizia murder investigation.
His resignation reflected dissatisfaction with Malta’s justice system and the Attorney General’s office was alter reformed.
8. Chris Cardona (April 2020)
Position: Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and former Minister for the Economy
Cardona stepped down amid allegations of links to criminal activities, which he denied. His departure added to the political turbulence within the Labour Party during the first quarter of 2020.
9. Justyne Caruana (January 2020 and December 2021)
Positions: Minister for Gozo (2020); Minister for Education (2021)
Caruana resigned as Gozo Minister in 2020 after links between her then-husband (Silvio Valletta) and a suspect in the Caruana Galizia case emerge. She resigned as Education Minister a year later following abuse of power allegations regarding a consultancy contract given to her boyfriend.
The situation highlighted persistent governance and ethical challenges within the Labour administration.
10. Rosianne Cutajar (April 2021)
Position: Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms
Cutajar resigned after revelations of involvement in a property deal with Yorgen Fenech, the main suspect in the Caruana Galizia murder case.
This raised questions about conflicts of interest and politicians’ close connections to alleged criminals.
11. Edward Scicluna (December 2020)
Position: Minister for Finance
Scicluna stepped down from his role to become Governor of the Central Bank of Malta as part of a Cabinet reshuffle but he eventually resigned from this role too after he was charged in connection to the Vitals inquiry.
12. Chris Fearne (May 2024)
Position: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health
Fearne resigned after he was charged with fraud related to the Vitals Global Healthcare deal, allegations he denies.
His resignation intensified scrutiny of government dealings.
13. Clayton Bartolo (November 2024)
Minister for Tourism and Public Cleanliness
Bartolo resigned following a scandal over his wife’s consultancy role, which she was allegedly unqualified for, and an FIAU investigation into alleged kickbacks she received.
Various protests have been held over the years to call for more transparency, with the next one scheduled for Monday to demand the resignation of Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri. However, the question remains – which minister or high-profile person will be forced out due to a scandal next?