The new Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela salutes the crowd as he walks out of the Presidential palace in Valletta, Malta, after the swear-in ceremony, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Abela is replacing Joseph Muscat after weeks of protests demanding accountability in the investigation of the car bomb slaying of an anti-corruption journalist who targeted his government. (AP Photo/Rene' Rossignaud)
The Associated Press
VALLETTA, Malta (AP) - Malta's new prime minister has been sworn into office, replacing the beleaguered premier who bowed to public protests for accountability in the probe of an anti-corruption journalist's murder.
Robert Abela took the oath of office Monday and kissed a crucifix in the traditionally Roman Catholic country. Abela is a first-term lawmaker whose father George Abela was a past president of the European Union nation.
Among onlookers was Joseph Muscat, who resigned amid anger over links between his government and those under investigation in the 2017 car bomb assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia.
She had been investigating offshore companies linked to politicians close to Muscat. Her work targeted members of his government.
In the run-up to the Labour Party election on Saturday to determine Muscat's successor both as party leader and prime minister, Robert Abela pledged to repair Malta's reputation. European Union lawmakers had faulted Malta's adherence to rule of law and recommended reform of its judicial and police systems.
Among those under investigation for the murder, according to Maltese prosecutors, is Muscat's former chief of staff, who denies any involvement. A Maltese casino owner has been arraigned for alleged complicity in the murder, an accusation he denies. Three men were arrested in the weeks after the bombing as the suspects of the actual bombing.
The new Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela waves to the crowd from the President of Malta's balcony after the swearing in ceremony, together with his wife Lydia Abela and his daughter Giorgia Mae, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Abela is replacing Joseph Muscat after weeks of protests demanding accountability in the investigation of the car bomb slaying of an anti-corruption journalist who targeted his government. (AP Photo/Rene' Rossignaud)
The Associated Press
The new Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela walks into the President office in Valletta for the swearing in ceremony, together with his wife Lydia Abela and his daughter Giorgia Mae, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Abela is replacing Joseph Muscat after weeks of protests demanding accountability in the investigation of the car bomb slaying of an anti-corruption journalist who targeted his government. (AP Photo/Rene' Rossignaud)
The Associated Press
Joseph Muscat leaves his office of Castille for the last time, as he goes to the president with his resignation, in Valletta, Malta, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Robert Abela is replacing Muscat as premier after weeks of protests demanding accountability in the investigation of the car bomb slaying of an anti-corruption journalist who targeted his government. (AP Photo/Rene' Rossignaud)
The Associated Press
Joseph Muscat leaves his office of Castille for the last time, as he goes to the president with his resignation, in Valletta, Malta, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Robert Abela is replacing Muscat as premier after weeks of protests demanding accountability in the investigation of the car bomb slaying of an anti-corruption journalist who targeted his government. (AP Photo/Rene' Rossignaud)
The Associated Press
The new Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela salutes the crowd as he walks out of the Presidential palace in Valletta, Malta, after the swear-in ceremony, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Abela is replacing Joseph Muscat after weeks of protests demanding accountability in the investigation of the car bomb slaying of an anti-corruption journalist who targeted his government. (AP Photo/Rene' Rossignaud)
The Associated Press
The new Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela with his wife Lydia Abela, walks out of the Presidential palace in Valletta, Malta, after the swear-in ceremony, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Abela is replacing Joseph Muscat after weeks of protests demanding accountability in the investigation of the car bomb slaying of an anti-corruption journalist who targeted his government. (AP Photo/Rene' Rossignaud)
The Associated Press
The new Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela stands next to the President of Malta George Vella, left, after the swearing in ceremony, together with his wife Lydia Abela and his daughter Giorgia Mae, Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. Abela is replacing Joseph Muscat after weeks of protests demanding accountability in the investigation of the car bomb slaying of an anti-corruption journalist who targeted his government. (AP Photo/Rene' Rossignaud)
The Associated Press