The verdict was out. The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) declared the current citizenship by investment program, which is very successful, in violation of EU law. 

Various leading exponents of the Nationalist Party quickly came out rubbing their hands in glee.  They were euphoric, particularly the extremist section, which took to Facebook expressing their jubilation. They were over the moon. 

They were after all the authors and executors of a relentless attack against a program that at the height of the Covid pandemic guaranteed jobs and salaries. 

But before we delve into the details, let's give some context.

At the cost of repeating myself earlier this week, on Tuesday, to be precise, late morning, the CJEU declared the passport scheme in violation of EU law. Infringement proceedings against Malta started five years ago - 2020. Ever since the European Commission initiated the infringement proceedings, Malta had consistently expressed its firm intention to defend this framework. 

The Labour government always maintained that issues related to citizenship fall entirely within the national sphere of competence. The EU Advocate General, a gentleman by the name of Anthony Michael Collins, was of the same opinion. On October 4, 2024, he concluded that there was no case against Malta. 

The CJEU begged to differ. Whilst confirming the principle of national competence, the CJEU ignored the Advocate General's recommendation that there was no case against Malta and instead delved into other aspects. 

The Court's decision was met by two contrasting reactions: that of the government and that of the Nationalist Party and its acolytes. 

In a press statement, issued within minutes of the Court's decision, followed by a social media post by Prime Minister Robert Abela, the government made it abundantly clear that as always, it respects the decisions of the courts. In other words, the government did not do 'a Jason Azzopardi' who launched an unprecedented attack on two members of the judiciary because a court ruling was not to its liking. 

However, and as is its right, and duty, the government said that it was analysing the decision of its legal implications so that the regulatory framework on citizenship can then be brought in line with the principles outlined in the judgment. 

With the story about the CJEU decision unfolding, a key member of the PN's extremist faction, a staunch Repubblika follower and a fierce keyboard warrior, and supporter when his closest friends, the 17 Blue Heroes, were chopping off Adrian Delia's head as leader of the Nationalist Party,  insisted that all those who obtained their citizenship under the scheme had to have their citizenship revoked. The government had already made it clear that those who obtained citizenship under the scheme would not be impacted. 

Separately, a PN MP, Mark Anthony Sammut went as far as equalling the programme to drug trafficking and, by inference and consequence, he put all those professionals - lawyers, accountants and others - in the same basket as those criminals who make a profit out of selling illegal drugs.  

Both Prime Minister Robert Abela and the Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri explained in detail the huge benefits that the scheme brought to Malta, its people, its businesses, and its many NGOs since it was established. 

The scheme was created for the benefit of the Maltese and Gozitans, generating an impressive €1.4 billion, which were all invested in the people. 

During the worst times of the Covid 19 pandemic, when jobs and businesses were at a very dangerous intersection, the Labour government steered them to safety using money from the program that the blue heroes worked so hard to destroy.

These funds were divided between the National Development and Social Fund (NDSF), through which several beneficial projects and investments were and continue to be carried out, and the Consolidated Fund. 

Through the NDSF, huge investments were made in sectors to improve the quality of life for all. These included healthcare investments. housing projects, and socially focused projects. Another key beneficiary was the sports sector. Malta's national heritage, too, benefited significantly. This included restoration initiatives to safeguard the national heritage and greening projects. 

The framework generated €339 million from property purchases, €158 million from property rentals, and €236 million were invested in bond acquisitions.

Applicants also contributed over €10 million in direct philanthropic donations to voluntary organisations across the country. This included Puttinu Cares, an organisation that is doing extraordinary work with cancer patients and their loved ones, including the use of cutting-edge technology and properties in London for the accommodation of patients and their families.

Prime Minister Robert Abela was categorical: "The government will keep working for the benefit of the people and, while respecting the decision of the courts, it will immediately start working to ensure that the framework conforms with the judgments so that the people will continue benefiting from the wealth created". 

Not so the Nationalist Party. Within the minutes that the story from the CJEU broke out, the usual suspects, the agents of doom and gloom, the extremist faction that calls the shots within the PN and leads Bernard Grech by the nose, took to social media to cry victory. Roberta Metsola, David Casa, Jason Azzopardi, Robert Aquilina of Repubblika, Karol Aquilina, and Simon Busuttil congratulated each other for having worked tirelessly and in unison against the scheme to ensure its removal. 

The Nationalist Party, too, issued a statement, very much in line with the euphoric statements made by the leaders of its extremist faction. 

The scheme that brought in Euro 1.4 billion to Malta and its people; the scheme from which thousands of people benefitted, and still do; from which NGOs were able to help the most vulnerable - they in reality want to end it, to scrap it completely because what matters to them is to chastise their country and 'punish' it within the international fora. 

They speak of "changing it" but then they rattle and attack the thing they say they want to change.  

This was yet another case of an opposition party that continues to bury its head deep in the sand and insists on political manoeuvres that ignore peoples' needs and aspirations if it opposes the government. A negative and destructive opposition party. A Partit Nazzjonalista that is in a constant battle with small, medium, and large businesses; a party that does its very best to scare off foreign direct investment. 

However, and much to their dismay, the government stands tall in front of their adversity and shall continue to ensure that the people of Malta and Gozo continue to benefit from initiatives that ensure a better standard of living for all.