Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said that the split within the PN is evident from the way it dealt with the residency scheme launched by the government.
Speaking during a radio interview this morning, Dr Muscat said that the government consulted with the Opposition on the residency scheme proposal, mainly with PN deputy leader Mario de Marco and certain changes were made to the scheme following his feedback.
But two hours after the scheme was launched, Dr Muscat said, the PN’s other deputy leader – Beppe Fenech Adami – requested a concession is made.
Dr Muscat questioned whether the two deputy leaders communicate with each other or whether there is a division within the PN.
He said that the PN asked the government to consider not implementing the scheme due to some abuse cases which cropped up in relation to residency schemes.
Should we not implement such a programme simply because there were cases of alleged corruption in similar schemes? Dr Muscat asked.
“Weren’t there cases of corruption in gaming companies where the son of a former prime minister was mentioned,” he continued, referring to the case involving the son of former prime minister Lawrence Gonzi.
Foreigners who invest a third of a million in Malta - such as in property – can qualify for the scheme.
The government said that permits would only be given out after due diligence was carried out by certified professionals, lawyers, legal procurators and management professionals. This would then be crossed checked by the authorities. Professionals who falsified any applications would have their warrants removed and will face legal action.
Employment figures best ever
On a separate note, Dr Muscat said that the situation in relation to employment figures in Malta is the best the country ever witnessed. He said that in the first two years of this administration, 13,000 jobs were created which translate into 17 full-time jobs daily, 80% of which were in the private sector.
As for Gozo, he said jobs created on our sister island during the first two years of this legislature were six times more than those created during the whole of the previous legislature.
Teachers won’t lose seniority if they change from government school to Church school
Dr Muscat said the government was currently reviewing a new policy which will help teachers progress in their careers whereby if they move from a government school to a Church school, they won’t lose their seniority.