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Three Simple Reasons Malta’s Prime Minister Joseph Muscat Must Resign Right Now

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It has never been more clear that Joseph Muscat can no longer remain Malta’s Prime Minister. He may be hugely popular – something he hopes to demonstrate next Sunday – but his position may seriously compromise the most important investigation in Malta’s political and criminal history. He must go right now and here are three simple reasons why.

1. Muscat is politically responsible for his Chief of Staff’s behaviour

Every Prime Minister is politically responsible for his Chief of Staff. But Joseph Muscat has gone on record time and time again specifically saying he will shoulder responsibility for Keith Schembri’s misdeeds, such as when his secret Panama company was revealed.

The Prime Minister chose to keep Schembri in his fold despite the many corruption scandals that followed. But worst of all, he did so again when he knew Yorgen Fenech was the key suspect for the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, around one and a half years ago.

This, despite the Prime Minister knowing there was a very close connection between Schembri and Fenech. Instead, of cutting Schembri off, Muscat allowed him to keep wielding power until his arrest. Muscat must now shoulder political responsibility for Schembri’s involvement in a murder and possible coverup.

2. Muscat’s involvement cannot be discounted at this stage

It may seem absurd to many that Muscat could be involved in a murder or its coverup. But now that his most trusted person is clearly implicated, questions abound.

Did Muscat ever get a whiff of Keith Schembri’s involvement in this case? Did Muscat really try to leave no stone unturned in this investigation? Or did investigators do their work despite Muscat?

One major mistake of Muscat was to meet Schembri the day before his arrest. Despite efforts in recent weeks to say he was taking decisions alone (without consulting Cabinet or Keith Schembri), their late-night meeting proves uncomfortable closeness even at the last minute.

At this point, Muscat needs to work to clear his own name from this murder and coverup. Remaining in power makes it seem he needs the apparatus of the state to protect himself and his friends. To clear his name effectively, he must start by leaving his position right now and show he does not need any power to do so.   

3. Muscat cannot consider Yorgen Fenech’s pardon request impartially

This is the most important reason of all.

Despite its name, a Presidential Pardon is granted by the Prime Minister. And in this case, Muscat is simply too conflicted to grant one. In fact, given Keith Schembri’s alleged involvement in the murder, the Presidential Pardon granted to Melvin Theuma needs to be revisited. At the time it was granted, Schembri was Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister. This begs the question: was Theuma given the pardon on condition that he did not name Schembri?

Meanwhile, Fenech has also asked for a Presidential Pardon but it has not been granted yet. And it has since become clear that Fenech is naming Schembri, who has been placed under arrest. Today he even exposed his own doctor as someone Schembri was using to send him messages.

Muscat simply cannot take an impartial decision on Fenech’s pardon. Whatever decision he takes will be seen as a move to obstruct justice – either to protect Fenech or to protect Schembri.

And at this stage, when it is unclear who the real mastermind was, such a decision is too important to be taken by someone so compromised.

It’s simple. Muscat must go.

READ NEXT: Who Is Keith Schembri? The Rise And Fall Of The Prime Minister’s Chief Of Staff

Christian is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who founded Lovin Malta, a new media company dedicated to creating positive impact in society. He is passionate about justice, public finances and finding ways to build a better future.

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