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 people of Turkish origin in Germany, especially among those of the second generation,” said the chairman, Gökay Sofuoğlu, the editorial network Germany (RND). However, the authorities needed more staff to be able to process these applications.
The Interior Ministry published a revised draft law on Friday. This should make naturalization in Germany easier. But there are also limitations. A prerequisite should be that the people concerned 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. Politicians in the traffic light coalition welcomed the plans, but criticism came from the opposition.
Domestic politician Alexander Throm (CDU), for example, called the legislative plans a wrong signal. “A citizenship is conferred for eternity.” He thinks three to five years is too short for an exam. The law increases the risk of premature naturalization of people who are not sufficiently integrated. Union parliamentary group manager Thorsten Frei (CDU) told the newspapers of the Funke media group that the law breaks with previous law. “It leads to a devaluation of German citizenship.”
The Turkish community has also criticized individual aspects of the planned law. It is understandable if applicants are denied citizenship in the case of anti-Semitic or racist crimes, said Sofuoğlu. “But that must not become an attitude test. That would not be effective.” Sofuoğlu said that for people from the generation of guest workers, it would be logical to dispense with language tests altogether, instead of just lowering the hurdle. Here he wishes for more generosity.