The president should never have defended the passport scheme. He knows that it is a very divisive and politically charged issue.

To boot, he did it in Austria, a country which has been dragged into this whole mess by half truths and lies from our PM.

Give the devil his due: Times of Malta reported what L-Orizzont published that day, quoting L-Orizzont.

Obviously, he lost interest and backed out.

I think the President is trying to curry favour with the government, perhaps in the hope of being given some public office once his term is up in a few weeks’ time.

In my opinion, he would do much better not to speak about the IIP at a time when the scheme, far from being a mere business proposition, remains a matter of political controversy in Malta.

By the way, is the considerable expense involved in making state visits (mostly matters of much pomp and circumstance signifying nothing) cost-effective in today’s world?

What real difference does it make in terms of attracting business to Malta if the President delivers a few prepared remarks? Are investors impressed by speeches made by non-executive heads of state?

Right, back to Nelson Piquet it is.

None. http://www.newsbook.com.mt/artikli/2014/1/23/esklussiva:-mhux-veru-li-villeneuve-interessat-jixtri-c-cittadinanza-maltija.14119

It doesn’t say much for them if they published it in the first place. The story was based on misinformation. Shouldn’t they have contacted Villeneuve to see what he says?

Vienna is small and Austrians talk.

He’s a nice chap, good sense of humour and did inherit some of his father’s talent (now that’s real talent, the stuff of legend, more photogenic than il Che’ himself), but it’s not as if we’re waiting for some proposal to turn this place into the next Woking or Maranello.

And as usual, here’s something his father remains utterly famous for, the battle with Arnoux, who was at times, seen eating using a fork.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhxMnYlkHeI