AD slams ‘hypocrisy’ of European governments on Austrian citizenship claims

Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Arnold Cassola, said that it was unacceptable if reports that leading Ukrainian politicians were being granted Austrian citizenship were true.

Earlier, the Austrian Times reported that Ukraine's last Prime Minister, the current intermediary Prime Minister and the man likely to be the next Prime Minister have all allegedly been secretly given Austrian passports.

"The hypocrisy of certain European governments is simply unacceptable. As Maltese Greens we have been consistently against the outright sale of European citizenship.  Yet, these Ukrainian semi-despots have bought their Austrian passports without any problem," Cassola said.

Calling on Commissioner Vivienne Reding to investigate the case, Cassola said that 'what is good for the Maltese goose is also good for the Austrian gander.'

The three Ukrainians were named as allegedly having Austrian passports by German Green MEP Rebecca Harms at their weekly European Parliament press briefing.

"It is incredible that the normal people who are fighting on the streets in Ukraine for European rights cannot travel. Yet, those who are beating them and are responsible for the plundering of the country are able not only to leave the country but can get Schengen visas and even Austrian citizenship," Harms said.

The paper explained that in Austria, people who invest in property or business are also eligible to receive passports.

"The investments are typically made at the regional level and then the local government fast tracks the application," it read.
"There is also the chance for anyone who comes into Austria with a significant amount of money of getting a residence permit, which can then later be changed to citizenship under the 'Privatierslösung'. The applicants do not need to have any skills, but they need to have a provable income of more than €3,500 a month. That means that this money needs to be paid into a local bank or through the purchase of property," it added.