Discussion about naturalization: modern citizenship law is correct

It is right to modernize citizenship law. Also for political reasons: It is not good for democracy if nine million immigrants are not allowed to vote.

Almost 25 years ago there was a heated argument in Germany about dual citizenship. The then Hessian CDU politician Roland Koch warned of the consequences and was successful in winning votes in the state election campaign. CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt is now criticizing the traffic light coalition for wanting to “sell off” German citizenship.

Developments over the past 20 years refute these fears. At that time there was mass unemployment in Germany, today there is an acute shortage of skilled workers in many areas of the economy.

Germany needs more qualified immigration

Germany urgently needs more qualified immigration from abroad in the next few years. Otherwise the pension and social security system is in danger of collapsing, especially as the baby boomer generation will retire in the next few years.

It is therefore right that the traffic light coalition wants to modernize citizenship law. Not just for economic reasons, but also for political reasons: because it’s not good for our democracy that nine million immigrants now live and work here without being allowed to vote because they don’t have German citizenship. Five million of them have been living in Germany for more than ten years.

Real integration is hardly possible without political participation. Many immigrants would have applied for a German passport long ago if they hadn’t been forced to give up their citizenship in their country of origin. Many shy away from this for understandable reasons.

Advantages outweigh disadvantages

If Germany allows more dual citizenships in the future, the advantages will far outweigh the disadvantages that some still fear. This is also shown by experience from classic immigration countries such as the USA or Canada.

Germany can learn from the many years of experience in these countries. Language skills are the most important building block for successful integration.

And: There must be no naturalization for extremists or Islamists. Anyone who wants to become a German citizen must stand on the ground of the German constitution and must abide by the “rules of the game” of our democracy.