Strict rules
Swiss community rejects naturalization – also because applicant mows lawn on public holidays
There are strict requirements for naturalization in Switzerland
© Jürgen Pfeiffer / Picture Alliance
His lifestyle obviously doesn’t suit everyone. A man living in Switzerland was denied naturalization because he was annoying his neighbors.
A fifty-year-old has been living in the Swiss community of Clos du Doubs for more than ten years. Now he wanted to become a confederate – and was not allowed (for the time being). His entry on Naturalization was rejected by the majority of the community assembly because his behavior was not well received by the other residents. Several Swiss media reported on the seemingly strange case, citing the local newspaper “Le Quotidien Jurassien”.
Accordingly, only eleven out of 30 members of the community assembly voted in favor of the man’s naturalization. According to the report, opponents of the move listed a number of reasons why they denied the man Swiss citizenship.
Swiss citizenship is important to the man
The applicant is rarely seen in the village – and when he is there, he violates many of the rules of coexistence. On holidays he works in the garden and mows the lawn. The renovation of his house has also made little progress for around ten years. “The rubble from the construction site would often fly away during storms,” it is said. In short: Through his behavior, the man shows that he is disregarding the rules of the region – therefore: no passport.
The mayor of Clos du Doubs dislikes the decision of the municipal assembly, writes “Le Quotidien Jurassien”. He actually wanted the community to be welcoming. Furthermore, he has never received a complaint about the applicant. “This is the first time I have faced such a situation,” he said, according to the report.
After all, the man does not have to be permanently denied Swiss citizenship. If he moves to another community, he could try his luck again. The red pass is important to him: “I am anchored in the Jura region. I would like to be able to express my opinion in federal votes.”
Sources:“Le Quotidien Jurassien”, 20min.ch, “View”