With reference to the proposed citizenship acquisition scheme, Alternattiva Demokratika chairperson, Prof Arnold Cassola, said, “It is absolutely unacceptable that the proposed draft law will contain a ban on the publishing of the names of those persons purchasing a Maltese citizenship for 650,000 euros.”

Prof Cassola added, “this is absurd considering when one gets married the banns have to be exposed to the public for 6 weeks prior to a marriage to ensure proper scrutiny, whilst to obtain Maltese citizenship anonymity is guaranteed. Is this meant to defend any possible shady character who might apply for citizenship, like Government envoy Shiv Nair who is blacklisted internationally for fraud and corruption?”

Carmel Cacopardo, AD Deputy Chairman and Spokesperson for Home Affairs and Sustainable Development, said, “AD disagrees with the excessive powers vested in the Minister of the Interior through the proposed legislation. The Minister, who through the proposed legislation is granted the exercise of substantial discretionary powers, should be completely out of the loop in the decision-taking process leading to the concession of Maltese citizenship. The final decision should be in the hands of a board which responds to Parliament.”

Cacopardo concluded that, “existing legislation relative to the granting of Maltese citizenship urgently needs to be revised as current procedures are absolutely opaque, in contrast to the high level of transparency required.”

Permalink: No – To lack of transparency in citizenship acquisition scheme, says AD