Prime Minister Joseph Muscat came out of Parliament after his government won the motion of no confidence presented by the opposition saying that the victory does not mean that the government will not take any action on the Panama Papers scandal that involves Minister Konrad Mizzi and OPM chief of staff Keith Schembri.

“What happened today is not an excuse of inaction, in the debate no talk was mentioned of illegalities, so I will take the necessary decision with all the information at hand.”

He said this when asked about what he will do with Energy and Health Minister Konrad Mizzi and his chief of staff Keith Schembri, about whom fresh information on their offshore dealings emerge every day.

Dr Muscat had previously said that he understands the public’s anger, and that he is observing and taking in comments from all those who are genuine in their discontent with the government. He has said on a number of occasions that he will take a decision about his Minister and chief of staff from a place of serenity, and not when the Opposition demands it. 

The Opposition had called reducing electricity and water tariffs “Alice in Wonderland,” meaning that it is a fairy tale. This evening Dr Muscat said that worse so, Dr Busuttil had the project in his hand which would allow for a reduction of these bills, but for reasons he has to explain, chose not to and the project remained on the shelf.

“The PN insisted on continuing with the old system of generating electricity through oil, which led to people paying high rates.”

The Opposition had said it cannot be done, “but we are doing it, we are reducing the cost of electricity and water by switching to gas,” Dr Muscat said.

Video: Mike Camilleri, photos: Jonathan Borg