The UPP says it will urgently review the country’s Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), arguing that the Browne Administration has allowed the programme to become the primary source of funds for critical state needs.

Pringle told the nation in his New Year’s speech that significant social obligations — including Social Security pension payments, are now too dependent on CIP revenue.

His comment comes as the European Commission is escalating its pressure on Caribbean citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programmes, warning that their operation alone could now justify suspending Schengen visa-free access for participating states.

This shift places Antigua and Barbuda squarely in the spotlight.

In its 8th annual Visa Suspension Mechanism report, the Commission abandons its long-held demand for “genuine links” and instead declares CBI schemes run by visa-exempt countries to be an inherent security risk.

“We intend to determine whether the current negatives dogging the CIP outweigh the benefits to our people,” he stated.

He said the UPP will consult stakeholders and international experts to secure long-term sustainability and integrity in economic governance.