Chairman of the EPP Group Manfred Weber said that developments in Malta are being monitored very closely.

“The culture of impunity in Malta that has culminated with the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia is of concern to the EU as a whole," Weber said in a statement.

"It is shocking that members of the Maltese government exposed in the Panama Papers continue to hold high public office. It is shocking that the Maltese government has completely ignored the European Parliament’s Resolution on the rule of law in Malta as well as the conclusions of the ad-hoc delegation to Malta published on the 11 January. The latter called for the removal of the persons implicated in corruption from public office and for them to be investigated and swiftly brought to justice”.

Weber said it would be advisable for the Maltese authorities to focus their energy on addressing the corruption problem in all areas, also in the institutions, rather than attacking those that expose wrongdoing. 

“David Casa is not alone. Behind him is the full force of the EPP Group. The EPP has always stood with the people of Malta and against corruption and abuse of power. We will continue to monitor developments in Malta very attentively," stated Weber.