Malta: Civil society groups organize a protest in Valletta December 16 /update 8

Event

A civil society group has called for a protest in Valletta on Monday, December 16, to demand the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat. Participants plan to gather from 19:30 (local time), however, organizers have not announced an exact meeting point as of Saturday, December 14.

Further protests are possible in the coming days. A heightened security presence and localized transportation disruptions are expected near any protest site. 

Context

Several thousand people have demonstrated in Valletta since November 26 to demand political change and the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and other senior government officials for their perceived complicity in the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in October 2017. Galizia is believed to have been assassinated due to her reporting on government corruption in Malta. A police investigation into her murder has led to the resignation of several government officials and prompted widespread protests.

On December 1, Prime Minister Muscat announced that he will resign as leader of the Labour Party on Sunday, January 12, 2020, and resign as prime minister in the days following. However, several opposition activists have called for the prime minister's immediate resignation.

Advice

Individuals in Malta, particularly in Valletta, are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests and demonstrations, prepare for transportation disruptions around protest sites, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.