The non-binding resolution on EU citizenship approved by the European Parliament last Thursday is embarrassing for the government and shows the extent of European opposition to Malta’s so-called Individual Investor Programme.

The resolution, approved by an overwhelming 560 votes to 22, states that EU citizenship must not have a “price tag” attached to it and points out that the outright sale of EU citizenship undermines the mutual trust upon which the Union is built.

The European Parliament also stressed that the rights conferred by EU citizenship, such as the right to move and reside freely within the EU, should not be treated as a “tradable commodity”. It urged Malta to bring its citizenship scheme in line with EU values.

The claim by European Justice Commissioner Viviane Reding, furthermore, that Malta’s sale of citizenship clashes with international law and the EU’s treaties, must not be taken lightly. Does this now mean that Malta is to face legal challenges to its citizenship programme?

A European Commission spokesman has told Times of Malta that legal advice is being sought over whether to open infringement proceedings against Malta on the issue.

Malta’s sale of citizenship was misguidedly controversial from the moment it was announced last year.

True, additional requirements to the €650,000 scheme that were later announced by the government, namely the purchase of a property worth at least €350,000 as well as €150,000 in government bonds, were a step in the right direction, as was the earlier U-turn not to keep secret the names of those granted citizenship. However, these amendments did little to change the programme from one which is essentially a citizenship for sale scheme.

Whichever way the government may try and spin it, the European Parliament resolution is not good news for Joseph Muscat.

All the Socialist MEPs – with the exception of six, including Malta’s four Labour MEPs – voted in favour, despite heavy lobbying by Maltese government officials.

The vote represents a massive failure by the government to convince European public opinion, including its own sister party in the European Parliament, about the compatibility of its citizenship programme with European values.

Dr Muscat’s reaction to the European Parliament resolution also displays a lack of awareness of the negative publicity and potential implications.

In somewhat defiant tone, he said the government had “taken note” of the vote but would push ahead with the programme, insinuating that he had an electoral mandate to do so.

This is the last argument he should have brought up. No such mandate exists because the issue was completely absent from Labour’s electoral manifesto. The citizenship scheme was introduced by stealth.

The Prime Minister also repeated his claim that other EU member states had similar citizenship schemes, when it is clear this is not the case: such programmes are, in fact, all linked to investment and residency. Unfortunately, our citizenship programme model is closer to the ones found in the Caribbean.

Dr Muscat’s tone in criticising the Nationalist Party and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil for opposing the citizenship scheme and blaming them for the European Parliament resolution was also uncalled for.

The Prime Minister’s statement – “There was no sale of citizenship. This is investment. The only thing that was sold was our country. Simon Busuttil sold Malta and the people will hold him accountable” – is reminiscent of the Dom Mintoff era.

Malta will now have to live with the consequences of this citizenship scheme, including an extremely sceptical international press; this, sadly, can only harm our image and go some way towards undoing the painstaking reputation-building that was a priority for post-1987 administrations.

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