MEPs in Strasbourg have called on Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to step aside amid an investigation into the murder of anti-corruption journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
A resolution calling for justice and a proper investigation into the murder was adopted by parliament by an overwhelming majority today.
Ms Caruana Galizia, whose reporting uncovered widespread corruption in Malta, was killed by a car bomb in October 2017.
Her murder has raised questions about the rule of law in Malta.
The parliament said it was deeply concerned about "the integrity and credibility" of the investigation into the death of Ms Caruana Galizia.
A delegation of MEPs travelled to Malta earlier this month on a fact finding mission to review the situation on the ground.
Ms Caruana Galizia's family suspect the Maltese government of a cover-up, an allegation which the government denies.
Mr Muscat, from Malta’s Labour Party, has said he will step down from his position in January.
However, some MEPs in Strasbourg have called on him to resign immediately to ensure the investigation into the journalist's murder is not compromised.
An overwhelming majority of MEPs have just voted on a resolution calling for the immediate resignation of @JosephMuscat_JM
— David Casa (@DavidCasaMEP) December 18, 2019
Parliament is insisting that Muscat's delayed resignation puts the integrity and impartiality of Daphne Caruana Galizia murder investigation in jeopardy. pic.twitter.com/4dcGBisIiO
Esteban González, a Spanish politician who belongs to the People's Party, called for Mr Muscat to stand down and said the truth will be revealed and justice will be done.
However, MEPs from the Socialist and Democrats Group - which is the group that the Labour Party forms part of, were a lot more measured in their speeches.
Spanish MEP Iratxe García Pérez, chair of the S&D group, said the rule of law had to be defended but the police must be given time to do their job.
She told the parliament that it is not the European Parliament’s role to call for the resignation of a government because she said it was a domestic issue.
The European Justice Commissioner, Didier Reynders, told the parliament this week that he had written to the Maltese government urging them to speed up reforms to ensure the independence of its judiciary.
