We desire citizens who have been a part of our society for an extended period to commence engaging in democratic procedures in Germany, stated Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (Social Democratic Party of Germany SPD) during the introduction of the draft law on nationality.
She mentioned that the alteration of the citizenship acquisition system is one of the most crucial projects of the social-democratic-green-liberal government and one of the significant mechanisms in the struggle for talent in the global labor market.
– We are enacting a contemporary immigration statute by our diverse society and modern country, declared Faeser.
The most vital aspect of the legal reform concerns reducing the period after which immigrants residing in Germany can request German citizenship from the present eight to five years.
For individuals who excel remarkably during the integration process, through remarkable advancements in language learning or exceptional accomplishments in the workplace, the time will be reduced to three years.
Dual nationality permitted
Dual nationality will also be permitted, which up until now was only feasible for residents of one of the European Union member states or in rare instances.
For members of the so-called first-generation laborers, the prerequisites for obtaining citizenship will undergo a simplified language assessment. Instead of the previously written evaluation of German language proficiency, straightforward verbal communication will suffice.
– This is a delayed recognition of the merits of the initial generation of guest workers in Germany, remarked Faeser.
The regulation stipulating that citizenship applicants must be able to financially support themselves and their families remains valid. Exceptions are possible in extraordinary cases for single parents or individuals with specific needs.
Sale of German citizenship
The opposition Christian Democratic Union CDU/CSU criticized the federal government’s resolution and accused it of introducing additional measures during a period of heightened migration that could further intensify unregulated migration and consequently polarize society.
– During a time of record migration to Germany, anyone who lessens the barriers to acquiring German citizenship instigates further polarization of society, claimed the leader of the CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Alexander Dobrindt, alluding to the popularity of parties that oppose immigration.
He argued that expediting the acquisition of citizenship does not aid integration.
The opposition right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) accused the federal government of granting German citizenship.
The draft law on citizenship is part of the assortment of measures undertaken by the federal government, aiming to comprehensively reform the legislation relating to foreigners in Germany, with one of the key objectives being the increased immigration of experts required by the German labor market.