Today in Strasbourg, during the European Parliament’s plenary session, a debate took place regarding Malta’s citizenship-by-investment program, which allows investors to circumvent EU sanctions against Russia, in light of the recent decision by the Court of Justice of the European Union, which ruled that Malta’s “golden passport” program is unlawful. PiS MEP Jadwiga Wiśniewska spoke during the discussion.
“EU citizenship is not a commodity. The CJEU’s ruling against Malta brings to a close an era in which, for 600,000 euros, the purchase of real estate, and a nominal fee, one could buy an EU passport,” said Jadwiga Wiśniewska. The PiS MEP emphasized that this was “not only a moral abuse, but a real threat.” She explained that “golden passport” programs opened the door to money laundering, tax evasion, and corruption. She added that sanctioned Russian oligarchs and mafia members from around the world had taken advantage of these programs to buy themselves a comfortable life in Europe.
“It’s good that the Court responded to the European Parliament’s appeals. Because a safe Europe is a Europe that protects its borders and values!” the Polish politician emphasized, calling on the Commission to investigate who had used these programs and what threats they pose. “And finally—let’s do away with the so-called ‘golden visas’ once and for all,” she added.
