Malta deserves a government that doesn't lie

"Malta deserves a government that doesn’t lie. The EU is a union of values which we must defend. Joseph Muscat must step down immediately. This is the only way to guarantee an objective, fair and neutral investigation", said EPP Group Deputy Spokesman on Justice and Home Affairs Jeroen Lenaers MEP following the conclusion of the European Parliament fact-finding mission to Malta today.

“The rule of law situation in Malta is shocking. We are seeing a situation of corruption, impunity and murder. We have seen the Chief of Staff of a Prime Minister who has been implicated in the assassination of an investigative journalist. And we see a Prime Minister who is acting as if nothing is going on, business as usual, and continues to be in office. This is unacceptable”, said Lenaers.

The urgent fact-finding mission was carried out amid serious concerns over the functioning of the rule of law in Malta after the killing of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

"For too long, the truth about her murder has been swept under the carpet, while the rule of law is being undermined. What is going on in Malta is unacceptable in a European Union Member State. It simply cannot continue. We have met with civil society, law enforcement, the Prime Minister, Daphne Caruana Galizia's family and the nation's institutions and the media. After every meeting it was clearer than ever that as long as Joseph Muscat remains clinging on to power, EU values will remain under threat and justice will remain undone. Muscat must go now”, said Roberta Metsola MEP, EPP Group Spokeswoman on Justice and Home Affairs, who participated in the fact-finding mission.

“We have pushed for justice in the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia for years and will continue to do so", Metsola concluded.