Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1534889
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 30 APRIL 2025 NEWS Muscat then turned his atten- tion to EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the PN, ac- cusing them of "working against our country." "I thank them for working hard against this programme," he jabbed, noting that the scheme's proceeds eased Malta's troubles during the pandemic among other benefits. "To those who will preach about their ethics, I say that I would much rather attract in- vestments through this pro- gramme instead of spending on weapons as they would like to do," Muscat said. Ruling will close one door to corrupt actors buying their way into the EU In a statement following the ruling, Transparency Interna- tional CEO Maira Martini wel- comed the ruling, adding that there have been many cases that have shown how such pro- grammes have granted safe hav- en in the EU for suspicious indi- viduals. Daphne Caruana Galizia Foun- dation director Matthew Carua- na Galizia described the ruling as a win for all Maltese and EU res- idents, "who have been unfairly exposed to the whims of money launderers and corrupt criminals buying their way into the EU." Caruana Galizia urged the gov- ernment to comply with the rul- ing and abolish the programme. He further urged the govern- ment to tackle the risks exposed by the golden visa scheme next. Malta's golden visa scheme is similar to its golden passport scheme, however the latter only grants residency rights and not full citizenship. incompatible with basic concept of Union citizenship' investment scheme to save jobs, support businesses, and help the sick and most vul- nerable. "There were those who tar- nished our country's reputation to get into office and did as much damage as they could against this framework, and today they are wringing their hands and boast- ing that they endangered all this good," he said. "We as a Government will con- tinue to work in the interests of Gozitans and Maltese people," Abela said. "At the same time, we will ensure that we have a frame- work that is in line with the judg- ment so that the people continue to enjoy the great wealth gener- ated." THE Nationalist Party has urged government to suspend Malta's current golden passport scheme and fully accept today's European Court of Justice ruling on the matter. According to the PN, citizenship "is more than just a legal status with a price tag" as it took note of the ruling. After fully opposing the scheme in the early years of the PL administration in 2013, the PN changed its stance and pledged to amend the programme instead of scrapping it completely. In light of the ruling, the PN called on govern- ment to suspend the programme in its current form, present a plan to ensure Maltese law com- plies with the European Court's decision, and clearly acknowledge and accept the ruling in order to safeguard Malta's reputation at EU level. The PN added that government should also refrain from continuing what it described as a misin- formation campaign regarding the scheme. "The only harm done to our country's reputation through this judgement was caused by the Labour Government's own scheme of selling citi- zenship, nothing else." A future Nationalist government, the par- ty, would implement reforms to ensure that Maltese citizenship is granted only where there is a clear and genuine connection to Malta. The statement was signed by Shadow Minister for Home Affairs, Darren Carabott. Roberta Metsola blasts "short-termism" In her reaction to the European Court of Justice ruling, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said Malta's sale of passports confirmed what many have been warning about. "For the best part of the last decade, we have warned that selling Maltese passports and EU cit- izenship to third country nationals without any genuine link violates EU law," she added. Metsola called the scheme "legal and economic recklessness" that hurt Malta's security and rep- utation, and exposed what she described as "the weakest Prime Minister Malta has ever known". "They are stuck, out of ideas, with no other plans to grow our economy," she said, blaming the gov- ernment for using "the same tired playbook of blaming invisible enemies". She said the ruling is not something to gloat about, but a time to take responsibility. PN wants government to amend investment citizenship programme MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt A future Nationalist government would implement reforms to ensure that Maltese citizenship is granted only where there is a clear and genuine connection to Malta Prime Minister Robert Abela defended the citizenship by investment scheme