The Government was not only panicking but also showing a disturbing lack of humility over the Citizenship Bill, Joseph Cassar (PN) said in Parliament yesterday.

If that were not the case it would realise that with this Bill it was in a national minority and this would prove to be the beginning of the end for the Government.

In his Budget Speech on Monday, the Finance Minister had said the deficit was being reduced, showing the economy was not ailing. So why should Malta be joining other European countries with ailing economies in copying Latvia’s model?

The Budget was replete with White Papers and pilot projects. But why had there been no White Paper on such an important scheme, which was about selling Malta? The answer was obvious: the Government was intent on rushing the vote and steamrolling over the people’s, not just the Opposition’s, wishes.

The Government was intent on rushing the vote

This was pure arrogance, best shown in how the Government had started to sell the scheme before Parliament had even voted on it.

Dr Cassar called for a Government guarantee that there would be no stateless fugitives given Maltese citizenship. He concluded with an appeal for both sides to sit down together and discuss the Opposition’s worries.

Two quorum calls were made during Mr Azzopardi’s contribution after Opposition whip David Agius complained that only Home Affairs Minister Emanuel Mallia was present on the government benches.

After the first quorum call, a number of government MPs entered the Chamber to form the quorum (which requires the presence of 15 MPs). However they left shortly after prompting Mr Agius to complain again that there was no quorum.

Dr Mallia pointed out that ministers were away because of a Cabinet meeting. However, up to a few minutes previously, only two Nationalist MPs were in the chamber. Now there were four, he said.

The sitting was again suspended for five minutes until a quorum was formed.