The European Parliament non-binding motion against the sale of European citizenship was overwhelmingly approved today with 560 for, 22 against and 44 abstentions.
Attempts for references to Malta to be deleted were overwhelmingly rejected.
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said the astounding EP vote was 'a double whammy' for the government. Muscat is isolated, Muscat shamed our country," he said in a tweet, insisting that Malta was not for sale.
In a statement after the motion's approval the European Parliament said: EU citizenship must not have a "price tag" attached to it.
"MEPs are concerned about schemes established by various EU member states and in particular Malta, which result in the sale of national, and hence EU, citizenship. Parliament calls on the Commission to state clearly whether these schemes respect the letter and spirit of the EU treaties and EU rules on non-discrimination."
Noting the wording of the approved motion, the parliament said: "Some member states have introduced schemes which "directly or indirectly" result in the “sale” of EU citizenship to third-country nationals, even though every member state is expected to act responsibly in preserving the Union’s common values and achievements. These are invaluable, and "cannot have a price tag attached to them".
"Outright sale of EU citizenship undermines the mutual trust upon which the Union is built.
"Parliament also stresses 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'. EU citizenship implies having a stake in the EU and depends on a person’s ties with the EU and its member states or on personal ties with EU citizens, says the text.
"Furthermore, citizenship-for-investment schemes "only allow the richest third-country nationals to obtain EU citizenship, without any other criteria being considered", which implies discrimination."
Malta was urged to bring its citizenship scheme into line with EU values
"Parliament calls on Malta to bring its current citizenship scheme into line with EU values. Other member states that have introduced national schemes which allow the direct or indirect sale of EU citizenship should do likewise," it added.
The Labour Party earlier today appealed to all Maltese members of the European Parliament who have Malta’s interest at heart to vote for the removal of the references to Malta in the EP’s motion on citizenship.
The PL said in a statement that since the head of the PN delegation David Casa had said that this was not a crusade against Malta, the Nationalist MEPs should not find it hard to vote for the removal of the reference to Malta.
The PL said that the Nationalist Party, through its MEPs, had an opportunity to regain trust following the harm they tried to instil on the country.