With its position on the citizenship-for-sale scheme, the Nationalist Party showed it was a strong opposition, leader Simon Busuttil said yesterday as he kicked off a fundraising campaign to help put the party on a sounder financial footing.

He said that, although it disagreed with the sale of the Maltese identity, the PN was nevertheless seeking consensus with the government so as to have a “good scheme”.

Although the controversial Individual Investor Programme, requiring a one-time payment of €650,000 to secure a Maltese passport, went through Parliament by a large majority last month, it had been placed on the back burner.

This was because “the Opposition had shown enough resistance for the government to return to the negotiating table”.

Finance Minister Edward Scicluna admitted in Brussels on Thursday that Malta had rushed and that certain amendments would be made.

Dr Busuttil said that Prof. Scicluna had mentioned all of the Opposition’s criticisms on the scheme, one by one.

“If the government really wants an agreement with the Opposition, it should listen. What Prof. Scicluna said proved that the Opposition was right and that it was being constructive. If whatever he mentioned is accepted, there could easily be agreement,” he said.

He added: “Malta needs to have a strong opposition so that when the governments slips up, it can draw attention to it and the government can make amends.”

Dr Busuttil said the PN’s strong opposition and the government’s reaction showed the party was “alive and strong”, as he appealed to the party faithful to contribute towards making the party even stronger and financially stable.

The party was in financial turmoil following the March general election when it was faced with a huge deficit and did not have enough money to pay its own employees.

In October, the party and its commercial arms managed to break even and employees began receiving their dues in full and on time.