People are angry, Mr Prime Minister. REALLY angry.
Times of Malta reports this afternoon:
Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has announced his intention to request Parliament to debate with urgency the resolution overwhelmingly approved last Thursday by the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
“I expect to find the government’s backing” as this is a very serious and urgent matter said Dr Busuttil.
Addressing a highly-charged political activity attended in large numbers at the party headquarters, Dr Busuttil reiterated that a future PN government would revoke every citizenship awarded by this scheme.
The Opposition leader reiterated that Thursday’s vote was one of no confidence in the Prime Minister and the citizenship scheme.The resolution was not against Malta, but against the scheme, said Dr Busuttil. He added that the EU was concerned as this had to do with EU citizenship as well.
(…)
Dr Busuttil also cautioned that the government’s defiance to forge ahead with the scheme has led the EU Commission to look into the possibility of opening infringement procedures against Malta. The PN leader said that the Prime Minister had to shoulder responsibility as he did not want to listen.
(…)
The Opposition leader said that the government was trying to “buy the people’s support” referring to a story in The Sunday Times that a former F1 Champion and wealthy foreigners were interested.
(…)
The Opposition leader said that the country’s credibility and reputation had already been damaged beyond repair, after just 10 months of a Labour government.
He said that the warnings of former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who had warned that Maltese citizens would one day be ashamed if Labour were to be in government turned out to be prophetic.
Dr Busuttil said that the Prime Minister was conveying the message that Malta had a gaping hole in its finances, just like Alfred Sant did in 1996. He added that this was a blatant lie as the PN-led government had left the country’s finances in good shape.
(…)
The Opposition leader said that time had shown that those voting in favour of EU accession in 2003 to safeguard against a repeat of Labour threats to democracy, had been proven right.
Dr Busuttil warned that he would not be intimidated by further threats and attacks from the government.
The Opposition leader urged the PM to “stop and think” before harming the country’s reputation even more or else the PN will resist this “obscene” scheme and “join forces with the EU” to safeguard the national interest.
He said that the PN would contest the legal notice in Parliament, remarking that all MPs would have to weigh their decision well.
Dr Busuttil said that the lesson from this week’s events was that the Opposition had to be united to safeguard the country’s interests.
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http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140119/local/simon.503258#.UtvLvbA1gdU
“The Opposition leader urged the PM to “stop and think” before harming the country’s reputation even more or else the PN will resist this “obscene” scheme and “join forces with the EU” to safeguard the national interest.”
Well said, Dr Busuttil.
Which former F1 champion, Jody Scheckter or Nelson Piquet?
If I’m not mistaken, all other former F1 champions happen to have a European passport.
We have a pimp not a prime minister. The client is a Gulf royal, so that’s OK then.
One must not forget that this brothel was initially opened also for unknown persons whose name would have been kept secret. Would anyone blame me and several others, if I suspect that some backdoor entry has been created to favour such shady customers?
I am starting to suspect that Joseph Muscat is avoiding a showdown in parliament by many of his MPs who are visible by their absence on this issue.
Jody Scheckter has been living in Hampshire, England for the past 10 year as a farmer.
There’s also Jacques Villeneuve, I’m sure the press can get hold of both.
Meaning that he can apply for British citizenship, if he so wants.
So that’s what the prime minister meant by talent – a driver and one of the thousands of Saudi princes.
Ah, I nearly forgot there’s a singer who is interested in the scheme.
While at it, shouldn’t Times of Malta have asked Henley and Partners for a copy of the agreement they have with our government?
About time for some backbone.
The tragic reality is that, weakened and wounded though it still is in the aftermath of the last general elections, the Nationalist Party is all that remains between total oblivion and saving grace for this fair land. All hope for better times during the Labour Party’s tenure in government has seemingly been lost.
Dr Busuttil has become a great leader when barely ten months in Opposition.
I am so proud of you, Dr Busuttil – really proud of you.
All this will now be downgraded by Joseph Muscat to simple mere comments.
He will overlook it all, as if by his attitude of indifference the leader of the Opposition would be tuned down and his words, like smoke, blown away.
At least this is the pattern Joseph Muscat adopts when he realises he could not measure up to the opponent.
What is really sad is that unlike in 1996-1998 the MLP have a 9-seat majority and Muscat is taking advantage of that.
Unless there is a MASSIVE revolt within the MLP parliamentary group (0.1% chance) we are stuck with him making a mess out of everything for another 4 years at least.
That 9 seat majority will soon drop to 7.
If the PN does get the two contested seats the difference drops down to five not seven, unless my Maths is wrong.
And another thing… this non-binding excuse he likes to use is a crock of sh*t. He may have had a slight point if the vote against it was 55% at most but at 90%?
It felt so good to be part of the crowd at the Nationalist Party headquarters today. It brought back memories of Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami in his former days standing up to KMB.
Well done also to David Casa and Roberta Metsola. Thank goodness for the talented people the Nationalist Party is so proud of. What a difference to Labour.
Simon Busuttil is showing his true brilliant colours and is keeping the tradition of excellent leadership skills that all successive PN party leaders have had. Enjoyed every second of it and felt so proud I voted PN.
Always proud to have voted PN – now all the more so.
Yes, well, challenging the cash-for-passports scheme in Parliament may be a wonderfully stirring proposition but, let’s face it, it’s essentially a symbolic gesture.
What is going to change?
The PN should make it clear to all prospective citizenship buyers that the passport they are buying has an expiry date