Under Muscat's leadership Malta's national deficit was eliminated,[23] unemployment decreased to historic lows,[24] and an unprecedented period of economic growth occurred.[25] However, he was criticised by figures on both sides of the political spectrum, accused of political opportunism,[26] broken promises on meritocracy[27] and the environment,[28] as well as corruption allegations.[29] On 1 December 2019, Muscat announced his resignation, to take effect after 12 January 2020,[30] due to the 2019 Maltese protests caused by the murder of anti-corruption journalist and government critic Daphne Caruana Galizia.