In being Maltese I accept the past, live the present and participate in forging the future of Maltese society. What makes me the Maltese person I am is not only the politics of the last 20 years. In fact, what makes me Maltese is not founded only on politics. True, attaining Independence and becoming a Republic were political achievements in themselves but I am the Maltese person I am today not merely because of these political achievements.

I am Maltese because I transcend from the traditions, a way of life, linguistics, values, art, culture, social customs, beliefs and the social interaction of those who were Maltese before me.

I fully appreciate each stage of social history as it occurred in Malta in a way that social interaction and social occurrences are not isolated but are a continuum of previous manners of social interaction and occurrences even if they represent a development or outright severance from those of the past. Being Maltese means you can walk through Mdina and Valletta and not only appreciate these architecturally (as tourists do) but appreciate the cities within their social past and present context.

Being Maltese means you can walk through Strait Street, Valletta, and appreciate it today despite its dilapidated state, precisely because you can appreciate why it is like that and, at the same time, recognise the differences made to it today.

Being Maltese allows you to place today’s social occurrences within context and enables you to recognise that your life is not merely a spontaneous occurrence.

I have at times taken positions that were or seemed to be different in contrast to the opinion or behaviour of the majority of Maltese society. I recognise that this may be true and that my opinion, reaction or behaviour may, at times, not be the mainstream one. But this is precisely what makes me treasure being Maltese because being Maltese does not simply refer to having a document that tells you so nor does it mean that while you hold that document you are expected to follow the mainstream opinion or behaviour.

A feeling of belonging refers to the very direct and personal manner in which each one of us interacts with others, sharing the experience of living in Maltese society.

Being Maltese is not a commodity; we are not a convenience

Another dimension of my being Maltese is that I am Maltese within a European context. It was not only Malta’s membership of the European Union that made a person within a European dimension because the European experience had already played a role in our social development.

Even the language we speak, our mannerisms, our way of dress, the way we interact and the social issues we experience show a European influence. EU membership continued to solidify the European dimension of our own society and that is why we remain Maltese within the EU.

This feeling of belonging to a society is obtained through personal interaction within that society, of being a participant in the development (positive or negative) of that society.

Moreover, it reflects one’s participation and inclusion in the social fibre and structure of that particular society. You may stand out from the rest because you think differently, you may even look different and you may stick out sorely because even society labels you different, but, at the end of the day, you are part of it because you live it.

Does this label me as nationalistic or patriotic? Let me put the record straight: I am fascinated with the Maltese culture and the way of being and truly feel a sense of belonging and attachment. But, at the same time, I truly believe that Maltese culture is no longer homogenous (that is if it ever were) but is diverse in itself. Diversity is maybe one of its main attractions. Don’t try to put any labels on my attachment to being Maltese. I would welcome anyone who, with goodwill, truly wishes to experience the Maltese way of being. This is where my difficulty with the granting of Maltese citizenship for money truly lies.

I would be willing to grant Maltese citizenship to someone who truly wants to be Maltese but that person must convince me that he wants to participate in this society and not merely use it for whatever purposes he may have in mind.

Being Maltese is not a commodity; we are not a convenience. For me, it is not even a question of whether the price is right. If you want to be Maltese, then be part of the experience by participating in it.

If one is willing to contribute handsomely to this society I cherish, whether through knowledge, enterprise or talent, then prove this and I will not object. However, obtaining the official document that identifies one as Maltese merely because one has the money to do so is, in my opinion, offensive and immoral. It may suit one’s needs, as most commodity purchases do, but citizenship is not a unilateral transaction.

Having Maltese citizenship merely because you have money also raises ethical and social questions. Have we become a society that sells anything for money?

Do we put a price tag to what we cherish? Do we cherish the way we are and the society and context within which we live? Do we want a society of different types of citizens? Is that person not born within our society but who continuously contributes to it with his work and participation not deserving of being identified as a part of Maltese society? Is that child born in Malta and also educated in Malta not deserving of being recognised as a member of our society? And are we to exclude her from our society merely because her parents were born in a different society?

I do not want a society with individuals of different statuses but it seems that this citizenship scheme will be doing just that.

We expect migrants to live the Maltese way but, hey, why should a person with money be expected to live the Maltese way? Does our government give more worth to those who have money than to those who do not? Are we then only assets and liabilities?

I can already hear a few replying that the cash will be used to provide for us all. Thanks but no thanks. I do my utmost to keep my values and principles even if this means not taking the short way.

Therese Comodini Cachia is a Nationalist MEP candidate.