The traffic light coalition wants to make naturalization in Germany easier. The Turkish community welcomes the reform plans and expects a large crowd. Criticism comes from the Union.
The Turkish community in Germany expects significantly more applications for naturalization once the reform of the citizenship law has been passed. “I expect a large rush among the people of Turkish origin in Germany, especially among those of the second generation,” said the chairman, Gökay Sofuoglu, the editorial network Germany. However, the authorities needed more staff to be able to process these applications.
Sofuoglu went on to say that the traffic light coalition’s project does not correspond in all details to “what I would like”. It is understandable if applicants are denied citizenship in the case of anti-Semitic or racist crimes. “But that must not become a test of attitude. That would not be effective,” he said. In the case of people from the generation of guest workers, it would be logical to dispense with language tests altogether, instead of just lowering the hurdle, said Sofuoglu. Here he wishes for more generosity.
citizenship test should no longer be necessary
The Ministry of the Interior wants to simplify naturalizations in Germany, dual citizenship should be possible in principle. One of the requirements should be that the applicants can usually earn their living without social benefits. The German passport should be expressly excluded for people who have committed crimes for anti-Semitic or racist motives.
The reform is intended to provide particular relief for the older generation of so-called guest workers who immigrated before June 1974. In the future, they should no longer have to submit written proof of language proficiency as a requirement for a German passport. Instead, proof of oral knowledge suitable for everyday use should suffice in the future. A naturalization test should also no longer be necessary.
Frei: “Devaluation of the German Nationality”
Politicians in the traffic light coalition welcomed the plans, but criticism came from the opposition. Union interior expert Alexander Throm called the legislative plans a wrong signal. The law increases the risk of premature naturalization of people who are not sufficiently integrated. Union parliamentary group manager Thorsten Frei told the newspapers of the Funke media group that the law breaks with previous law. “It leads to a devaluation of German citizenship.”
CSU regional group leader Alexander Dobrindt told the “Augsburger Allgemeine” and the “Tagesspiegel”: “The traffic light is careless about citizenship law and destroys the social consensus of the past twenty years.” He added: “The traffic light is fueling further polarization in society.”