I googled the phrase “selling Maltese citizenship.” In a fraction of a second Google threw back at me an enormous number of references. One can only take in few at a time as they make for very depressing reading.

The selling of Maltese citizenship has really hit the headlines but unfortunately in a very negative way. Newspaper report follows newspaper report; commentator after commentator; radio/TV programme after radio/TV programme … all spouting a litany that shames Malta.

One French radio network described Malta as the new Caribbean. The comparison between Malta and the shady Caribbean islands was made by many. Mintoff’s and Sant’s aspirations to turn Malta into the Switzerland of the Mediterranean have had quite a seismic transposition.

What really irked journalists and commentators was the fact that the Maltese government did not take a measure which affects just Malta. They are rabid that the Government is taking steps that affect themselves and their countries negatively. This is a passport “to the rest of Europe and Schengen.” And they don’t like that one little bit!

A Czeck pundit wrote that “terrorists and criminals have a free trip to the Czech Republic, thanks to Malta.”

The wave of criticism and anger crosses the Atlantic. The Huffington Post after noting that the Maltese enactment means unfettered access to the United States adds:

“While the United States and many European countries scramble to secure borders and crack down on undocumented immigrants, one little island has come up with a solution fit for late night TV.”

Some criticism is very unfair and untrue: “Malta Government attempt to launder heroin money. … Malta is a major heroin supplier to the EU.” The more unfair the criticism is, the more harmful it will be.

Several media outlets criticised the law just passed by the Labour government as this is a scheme with “no conditions; just money.” Others said “just some money” as they considered the price to be too small. The Government was lambasted for being ‘opportunistic.’

The scheme is ridiculed by being described as “a bargain” or “Special offer” or “rock-bottom price.” The words “For Sale” form part of many a headline. One screaming headline said: ‘For sale: Maltese nationality and EU citizenship, never used, for 650,000 euros’

Many give an economic motive for Government’s action. They write that Malta is in “dire straits” or that it has an empty Treasury. The Government is said to be “cash-strapped” and that it is selling “citizenship to get out of crisis”.

The moral argument is particularly painful and harmful.

The Huffington Post wrote: “Those with enough money to pay their way have the entire globe at their disposal. Those who do not, on the other hand, will continue to be shunted by countries like Malta.”

One opinion columnist based in Luxemburg wrote about how 20,000 have died trying to get into Europe, but then Malta is selling passports to the rich. This was also the point made by many a cartoonist.

Never since the horrible 1980s has Malta been the target of such a massive negative media campaign. The accusation that this is the result of the criticism of the Opposition is an insult to such an array of newspapers and commentators. Is the Opposition so powerful that it can mobilise the world press?

There is another thing which reminds one of the 1980s. The ever-growing accusation from the Government side that the Opposition is working against the interests of Malta is also reminiscent of the tactics used during the 1980s. It seems that some still equate the Government with the country and want to instil the believe that whoever criticises the Government is harming Malta.

This is both dangerous and anti-democratic. It seems that some never learn.

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