David Casa stands by his decision to vote against IIP

Malta’s most experienced MEP candidate says government’s meritocracy pledge only served to undermine Malta; insists he would vote against the citizenship scheme once again

15 February 2014, 12:00am
by Jerome Caruana Cilia

1 min read

Despite being dubbed as a 'traitor', MEP David Casa has stood by his decision to vote against Malta's citizenship scheme

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MEP hopeful David Casa has stood by his decision to vote against the government's citizenship at the European plenary, saying he "would do it all over again", Sunday newspaper Illum reports.

In an interview with the sister newspaper, the PN candidate said he voted against the scheme in Malta's best interests.

"I would do this again because I hold my identity at heart. If by voting against the government's cash-for-citizenship scheme, I am called a traitor, I have no problem," Casa underlined.

Alongside fellow PN MEP, Casa voted against the citizenship scheme at the European Parliament and had previously pledged to do "his best to stop the scheme as it was tarnishing Malta's reputation and robbing it of its citizenship."

The European Parliament's chiding of Malta's Individual Investor Programme came from the Nationalist Party's political family, the European People's Party, but also from socialists, radical left-wingers, as well as liberals and some greens and conservatives.

Casa and Metsola's vociferous appeals against the citizenship scheme saw them accused of being a traitor, but conversely, others, most notably the Nationalist faithful, dubbed the MEP's actions as "heroic".

Casa, who has been a member of the European Parliament since June 2004, will now stand the forthcoming elections on the PN ticket.

Despite his longevity and arguments for the electorate to elect new blood, David Casa has stood by his decision to contest the election, but nevertheless said that he would accept an electoral loss with "serenity."

Meanwhile, echoing Nationalist party leader Simon Busuttil, the MEP candidate lambasted the government for its failed meritocracy pledge.

"The promotions handed within the civil service are a far cry from Labour's meritocracy promise and has only served to undermine Malta," he argued

More from Jerome Caruana Cilia

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Don't fool yourselves by expecting something better from this MEP for a couple of more months. He possesses a big mouth but a small mind.

Priscilla Darmenia •

Did he vote in Malta's best interest when insisted and voted that Malta's name be mentioned in the motion? - David I am not much in favour of the IIP but surly I am against your attitude during the EP debate. I will not put any number on my ballot paper next to your name or that of Metsola.

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" ......... I hold my identity at heart....." which idiot would want to identify himself with you Mr Casa.

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Warrab minn hemm David Casa. Halli Maltin veru jirrapprezentawna fl-Ewropa.

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David have a right to stand by his decisions, good or bad. But the people will give their verdict in May. And those who voted against their own country will surely be punished and will serve as a lesson for all the PN candidates who dare do it again in the future.

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This shows what was their real intention from the very first beginning. In spite that now the scheme has the blessing of the EU Commission, he is still opposing the scheme. A traitor will always say that he doesn't mind if someone calls him a traitor, but in the annals of history he will be known as the one who betrayed his country.

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Oh great! Makes it easy for me to stand by my decision to vilify them both.

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The government should only work with those who declare they will work with the government to fulfill electoral promises as voted for by the Maltese public and who pay for their wages and not obstruct by delays and omissions, or direct sabotage. The government should only work with those who accept the out-strecthed hand offered to them after the election.

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Persisting in sin is diabolical and unworthy of a so called MALTESE PATRIOT.