Malta gets new prime minister after Joseph Muscat resigns over journalist murder scandal

Labour leader Robert Abela has said he will work to restore Malta's reputation for the rule of law

Robert Abela is the son of former prime minister George Abela (EPA)

The son of Malta’s former president has been chosen to be the country’s prime minister.

The count on Sunday showed Robert Abela received nearly 58 per cent of votes cast by members of the governing Labour Party eligible to choose their new leader.

Mr Abela, 42, will replace Joseph Muscat, who is stepping down midway through his second term amid demands for accountability over the 2017 murder of an anti-corruption journalist.

The date of the premier-designate’s swearing-in has not been announced.

A close aide to Mr Muscat was questioned in connection with journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder, denied wrongdoing and was released while still under investigation.

A Maltese hotelier, who denies involvement, has been accused of complicity in the killing. Three other men, accused of triggering the car bomb, are under arrest.

Before being chosen as Labour leader, Mr Abela said he would work to restore Malta’s reputation for rule of law. European Union lawmakers had criticised the member nation’s judiciary and police.

Mr Muscat had beaten Mr Abela’s father in the race for the party leadership in 2008. George Abela was later appointed president, serving from 2009 until 2014.

His son, a former lawyer, was first elected as a member of the Maltese parliament in 2017 after running in the sixth district for his first time.

Associated Press