<p>Political&nbsp;newcomer&nbsp;Robert Abela was set to&nbsp;become&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-protesters-block-entry-to-prime-ministers-office-267243">Malta's</a>&nbsp;new&nbsp;prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;having been elected leader of the ruling Labour Party following a vote on Saturday.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maltese-prime-minister-announces-plans-to-step-down-265627">Joseph Muscat</a> is stepping down as leader and&nbsp;prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;amid claims that he protected associates who had links to people allegedly involved in the 2017 murder of anti-corruption journalist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maltas-ruling-party-lawmakers-back-embattled-prime-minister-265622">Daphne Caruana Galizia</a>.</p>

<p>The election result became known early on Sunday with Abela winning 58 per cent&nbsp;of the votes of some 17,500 members of the party. He was up against Chris Fearne, 56, the deputy&nbsp;prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;and&nbsp;minister&nbsp;of health, who had been the initial favourite to win.</p>

<p>Muscat announced his resignation on December 1, saying he would step down once a new Labour leader was elected.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announces step down</strong></p>

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<p>Abela, 42, a lawyer specialising in industrial and labour law, was elected to parliament for the first time just over two years ago. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pressure-rises-on-malta-pm-to-resign-over-slain-reporter-case-265371">Muscat</a> appointed him a consultant, enabling him to attend Cabinet meetings.</p>

<p>"I am humbled" he told supporters. "I thank my friend Chris (Fearne) and look forward to working together for the good of the party and the country. There is only one winner today, the Labour Party."</p>

<p>Abela has said he will place increased government focus on social issues and affordable housing. He also promised to give free medicines to all pensioners within five years. During the campaign, however, he avoided interviews with the independent press.</p>

<p>His father, George Abela, was deputy leader of the Labour Party until 1998 and had contested the party leadership election which saw Muscat&nbsp;become&nbsp;party leader in 2008. He later served as president of Malta.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/robertabela_mt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@robertabela_mt</a> on being elected <a href="https://twitter.com/PL_Malta?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PL_Malta</a> leader. Proud to be handing over to him <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Malta?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Malta</a> PM office on Monday. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisfearne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chrisfearne</a> for your excellent contribution to the party and country -JM</p>
— Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) <a href="https://twitter.com/JosephMuscat_JM/status/1216157417580437504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malta-pm-says-no-immunity-for-top-suspect-in-journalist-killing-265179">Joseph Musca</a>t in a tweet said he was proud to hand over to Abela. He said he would formally resign as&nbsp;prime&nbsp;minister&nbsp;on Monday.</p>

<p>He has said he will stay on in parliament and promote civil rights reform. He also intends working on a project to raise the level of Malta sports athletes.</p>


Political newcomer Robert Abela was set to become Malta's new prime minister having been elected leader of the ruling Labour Party following a vote on Saturday. Joseph Muscat is stepping down as leader and prime minister amid claims that he protected associates who had links to people allegedly involved in the 2017 murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Political newcomer Robert Abela was set to become Malta's new prime minister having been elected leader of the ruling Labour Party following a vote on Saturday. Joseph Muscat is stepping down as leader and prime minister amid claims that he protected associates who had links to people allegedly involved in the 2017 murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. The election result became known early on Sunday with Abela winning 58 per cent of the votes of some 17,500 members of the party. He was up against Chris Fearne, 56, the deputy prime minister and minister of health, who had been the initial favourite to win. Muscat announced his resignation on December 1, saying he would step down once a new Labour leader was elected. Watch: Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat announces step down × Abela, 42, a lawyer specialising in industrial and labour law, was elected to parliament for the first time just over two years ago. Muscat appointed him a consultant, enabling him to attend Cabinet meetings. "I am humbled" he told supporters. "I thank my friend Chris (Fearne) and look forward to working together for the good of the party and the country. There is only one winner today, the Labour Party." Abela has said he will place increased government focus on social issues and affordable housing. He also promised to give free medicines to all pensioners within five years. During the campaign, however, he avoided interviews with the independent press. His father, George Abela, was deputy leader of the Labour Party until 1998 and had contested the party leadership election which saw Muscat become party leader in 2008. He later served as president of Malta. Congratulations @robertabela_mt on being elected @PL_Malta leader. Proud to be handing over to him #Malta PM office on Monday. Thank you @chrisfearne for your excellent contribution to the party and country -JM — Joseph Muscat (@JosephMuscat_JM) January 12, 2020 × Joseph Muscat in a tweet said he was proud to hand over to Abela. He said he would formally resign as prime minister on Monday. He has said he will stay on in parliament and promote civil rights reform. He also intends working on a project to raise the level of Malta sports athletes.

Malta: Robert Abela set to become new PM as Joseph Muscat steps down

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Malta: Robert Abela set to become new PM as Joseph Muscat steps down