[WATCH] Prime Minister evasive on action to be taken against energy minister

Joseph Muscat elusive on Konrad Mizzi's future

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat refused to declare whether a decision to be taken over Panama Papers would include the resignation of Energy Minister Konrad Mizzi.

“A decision will be taken. That decision will translate into a decision which I will communicate,” Muscat told MaltaToday, when asked whether the action would result in the resignation of the minister.

The government yesterday won a confidence vote, giving the Prime Minister the parliamentary support required to continue governing. The opposition’s motion called for Labour MPs to remove their own prime minister over his inaction to following the Panama Papers revelations.

Taking questions from the press following a visit at Playmobil, Muscat said that there was now the certainty that the government had two more years. “Yesterday we won a confidence vote and today we announced a €30 million investment which will create 200 new jobs. We will continue announcing new initiatives that will send a clear message to businesses and enterprises to continue moving forward.”

Muscat would not reveal the name of the audit firm probing the minister’s financial affairs, arguing that it would be communicated once the audit has been finalized and published.

“The firm should be allowed to work serenely without any pressures,” he said, adding that he had no indication as to when the audit would be finalised. “I am interested in a full and clear audit.”

During yesterday’s parliamentary debate, opposition leader Simon Busuttil also revealed that the PN – then in government – had received a similar proposal to that of Labour’s energy plan. Busuttil would not say who the businessmen were and said it was high ranking PN officials who met them.

Muscat however argued that the PN should now explain why it had not reduced energy prices and why had it dubbed Labour’s energy plan “Alice in Wonderland” if it knew it was doable.

“Instead it chose to continue buying heavy fuel oil and we all know about the commissions that were paid,” the Prime Minister said.