Busuttil calls on Manuel Mallia to resign

Opposition leader Simon Busuttil has called on National Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia to "stay true to his word and resign."

During a parliamentary meeting between government and opposition MPs, Minister Mallia had claimed that he would step down from parliament if the government introduces the residency requirement in the cash-for-citizenship scheme.

"Manuel Mallia had said that if at least one day of required residency were to be introduced, he would resign. Now that Joseph Muscat has agreed with the European Commission to introduce the residency requirement, I expect Mallia to be a man of his word and resign," Busuttil said to the delight of the PN General Council.

Addressing the party faithful at the end of the four-day General Council, the PN leader lambasted the government for its constant attacks on the opposition but insisted that rather than harming the PN, the government's attacks are "strengthening the Nationalist Party."

On the citizenship scheme, Busuttil said the government's inconsistency on the scheme is the epitome of its incompetence to govern and bad negotiating skills.

"First the government waived the secrecy clause, then it ensured that the citizenship scheme is tied to investment, and now, in its final version, it had to bow down to the pressure of the European Commission and introduced the residency requirement."

"The government proved the PN right on the citizenship scheme. Nevertheless, the PN will not be taking a clear stand on the citizenship scheme until the government publishes the new legal notice."

However, Busuttil insisted the PN was still against the scheme in principle even though arguing that the "sale of Maltese citizenship should be tied to a period of residency". At the same time, Busuttil used to argue that the Maltese passport was not for sale.

He said, he hoped the government honoured his commitment with the European Commission: "In less than 24 hours, Joseph Muscat tried to mask the truth in front of the EC and the subsequent press conference."

Turning his attention on the impeachment motion of Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, the PN Leader blasted the government for opting "political friendship over justice."

"Joseph Muscat had reassured me that parliamnent would be acting on the decision of the Commission for the Adminsitration of Justice, but instead he retracted from his word and the motion of impeachment will have to start from the beginning."

Speaker Anglu Farrugia has ruled that if House wanted to reactivate the judge's impeachment motion a new motion would have to be presented. At the end of the sitting, the government presented a new motion.

"The investigative process will take at least a year, very convenient for a judge who is set to resign in August. Notwithstanding his bad behaviour as a member of the judiciary, Muscat's decision means that [Farrugia Sacco] will resign as a magistrate - a clear example of political friendship overcoming the administration of justice, " Busuttil affirmed.

Meanwhile, on the John Dalli case, Busuttil insisted there was political interference, saying the country and the European Union believe so as well.

In light of the breach of privilege case instituted against himself, the PN leader said he is ready to go to jail and insisted he will not bow down to pressure to ensure that Malta’s democratic structures are safeguarded.

Bemoaning the govenrment’s performance, Busuttil also said that what the country gained during the previous adnimisations, was now lost under a Labour government.

“Unemployment, hazy and inconsistent leadership and lack of planning have become the norm of the government. However, the government is still denying alarming statistics of unemployment and is instead obstinately continuing to mask the truth.”