The European Parliament is expected to debate Malta's controversial citizenship scheme on January 15.

Sources close to the European Parliament said the decision to organise this debate was taken this afternoon in Strasbourg by the presidents of all the political groups during the Conference of Presidents .

The request for a debate, being named 'EU citizenship for sale', was proposed by multiple political groups, making it very difficult for it not to be included in the final agenda of the January plenary session. MEPs, the Council and the Commission will be invited to take part.

Final confirmation is due tomorrow morning when the matter will be discussed during the meeting of the Presidency of the European Parliament.

MEP David Casa, who heads the PN delegation in the European Parliament said it was regrettable that the Prime Minister did not heed the advice of the Leader of the Opposition.

"It should never has come to this... It is shameful that this law was steam-rolled through Parliament. Had there been greater respect for the democratic process, proper dialogue and exchange of ideas this fiasco could have been avoided."

Nationalist MEP Roberta Metsola said that various MEPs from across the political spectrum, including the left, voiced very serious objections to the scheme.

"It is extremely serious and this will now be discussed in plenary. Not only have we been made a laughing stock on the world stage through the international media but this cash-for-passports scheme will now also be the basis for a debate in the European Parliament.”

Meanwhile Opposition leader Simon Busuttil tweeted today that citizenship talks between the government and the Opposition are to resume tomorrow.

"We'll continue making our case against sale of citizenship," he tweeted.