LA VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A day after the European Union’s top court declared Malta’s citizenship-by-investment scheme illegal, a rare opportunity for bipartisan collaboration has emerged as politicians on both sides of the aisle debate how to reform the programme without abandoning its financial benefits.
The European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled decisively against Malta’s “golden passport” scheme, declaring that EU citizenship cannot be reduced to a commercial transaction. The ruling challenges a cornerstone of Malta’s economic policy over the past decade, and has sparked both defensiveness and introspection within the country’s political class.
In parliament, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri defended the scheme vigorously, citing its vital role in supporting Malta’s economy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, in a notable shift, he called for unity: “My appeal is that, in the future, and as the government analyses the sentence and considers the next step, we be united as a single country.”
The opposition, while welcoming the court’s decision, appeared open to reform rather than full abandonment. Nationalist MP Darren Carabott criticised the government for “playing the victim,” but stopped short of calling for a total ban. Instead, he urged the government to “start discussing changes to the citizenship law,” signalling willingness to participate in shaping a new framework.
Similarly, PN MP Adrian Delia highlighted the importance of maintaining Malta’s attractiveness to investors, while stressing the need for recipients of citizenship to demonstrate a “genuine interest” in the country. His remarks suggest that the opposition envisions a revised model focused on deeper integration of applicants into Maltese society and economy.
The Labour government, for its part, defended the programme’s economic legacy. Labour MP Alex Muscat, who formerly oversaw the scheme, noted that it directly benefited Maltese families through property sales and rental income. He warned that projects funded by the scheme—such as health centres and infrastructure—could now face uncertainty. Yet, the Malta Development Association (MDA), representing property developers who profited from the scheme, issued perhaps the most pointed appeal for unity. While expressing disappointment at the ruling, the MDA called on all parties to “amend rather than abort” the programme and urged political leaders to “rise beyond partisan politics” on matters of national interest.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
