Malta Announces Proposals To Sell Citizenship For $888,000

Has halted implementing the law in wake of criticism from the European Union and some citizens

(CNN) -- The government of the small Mediterranean island of Malta recently announced proposals to start selling citizenship of its nation to foreigners for €650,000 (about $888,000).

But faced with rising criticism both in Malta and other European Union countries, the Maltese government has temporarily halted the law's implementation and will review its requirements.

The European Parliament is to hold a debate on the scheme on 15 January 2014.

"The citizenship scheme as adopted by the Maltese Parliament in recent weeks seems to be a clear abuse of EU citizenship and Schengen rules, said European People's Party chairman Joseph Daul.