In what can be described as a move to get closer to the political party she represents again after a series of comments that created controversy, Labour MP Marlene Farrugia called upon the Nationalist Party to stop being negative on the citizenship scheme and this will not put “bread on our families’ tables”.
In previous comments, Dr Farrugia had expressed reservations on the scheme and had found it difficult to vote in its favour in Parliament. She is still of the opinion that citizenship should not come with a price tag, but she said no time should be wasted as others were having a "feastday" while Malta dithers. A period of residency should be demanded "after" citizenship is granted, she wrote.
In post on her Facebook page today, Dr Farrugia wrote:
“We do not begrudge the money any investor makes by investing in our islands and our people, as long as that investment is creating dignified, well paid jobs for our countrymen and is conducive to upholding Malta's pride and honour.
“The Leader of the opposition has to understand that judicial protests and negative stands are not going to put bread on our families' tables. Like him we do not want our citizenship to be treated like a commodity with a price tag, but he knows as well as I do that a reasonable period of residence for a number of weeks a year+ investment+ ownership of property can do away with the sale stigma and produce an acceptable investment scheme.
“To insist that potential investors spend years living in Malta prior to obtaining citizenship is unrealistic because these kind of investors globe trot incessantly and hardly spend months anywhere at a stretch, let alone years.
“A decent period of total residence per year after granting citizenship in addition to investment and property ownership should give us a good capital injection in our economy while saving Malta's face. Let's go for it, because our competitors are having a feastday as we waste time and energy in negative stances.”
When asked about Dr Farrugia's comments during a visit to the GRTU this afternoon, PN Leader Simon Busuttil said that he respected the way the government MP is speaking out on the scheme. He called on other PL MPs to do the same and stand up for what they believe in.