Germany repeals the ban on dual citizenship by adopting a naturalisation law, designed to reflect the reality of the society, making it easier to obtain citizenship.
The new law was passed amid accusations of devaluing citizenship and increasing the burden from opposition lawmakers. According to lawmakers, migration places too great a burden on public services.
Progressives have long demanded a citizenship law that recognises the reality that Germany has been an ethnically diverse multicultural society since guest workers from Italy and Turkey arrived in the 1960s to ease labour shortages.
Citizenship now can be obtained after five years of residence in the country, but it is noteworthy that three years will be enough for the “exceptionally well integrated.”
Also, dual citizenship, which is usually only allowed for citizens of other EU countries, will be allowed from now on, allowing tens of thousands of Turks born in Germany.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said a new law was needed to compete globally for skilled labour with countries such as Canada and the United States.
But there is a contrary view, as polls show that German Turks, many of whom are ethnic Kurds or Arabs, vote for the full range of Turkish parties, none of which are running in German elections.
“You want to create new voters for yourselves with this law,” conservative legislator Alexander Throm told coalition politicians. “But careful: Most (Turks) who live here vote for AKP and (Turkish President Tayyip) Erdogan… You’re bringing the conflict to us.”
In a video message Friday, Scholz called the nationwide protests planned for the weekend against right-wing extremists “good and right.” The Chancellor of Germany proclaimed:
With the new citizenship law, we are saying to all those who have often lived and worked in Germany for decades, who abide by our laws, who are at home here: You belong to Germany.
