As of: January 19, 2024, 4:31 p.m
By: Peter Sieben
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In the future it will be easier to become German.
The Bundestag decided this on Friday.
However, the decision was anything but clear.
Berlin – More contrast can hardly be achieved: While right-wing extremists are currently dreaming of deporting millions of foreigners and people who think differently, it will be easier to become naturalized in Germany in the future.
The Bundestag decided on a corresponding reform of citizenship law in a roll-call vote in Berlin on Friday.
Naturalization of foreigners will now be possible after five years
In the future, naturalization will be possible after five years instead of eight years as before.
For “special integration achievements” even after three years: This refers to particularly good performance at school or at work.
Or perhaps civic engagement.
In the future, children of foreign parents will automatically have German citizenship at birth if one parent has lived here legally for at least five years (previously it was eight years).
Another innovation: Naturalized people can generally retain their previous citizenship.
Reform of citizenship law as a means to combat the shortage of skilled workers
The reform is also a means of attracting urgently needed skilled workers to Germany.
“We also have to make people, qualified people from all over the world, an offer like the USA and Canada,” said Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD).
There is a need for “an appreciation for the people who come to our country and help our society function.”
Criticism from the Union: Government “wants to permanently change our society”
Meanwhile, there was criticism of the reform from the Union.
“The government is not just changing a law with citizenship, it wants to change our society profoundly and permanently,” said the domestic policy spokesman for the Union parliamentary group, Alexander Throm, to
IPPEN.MEDIA
.
“In a democracy, the people determine the government, not the other way around.
In the middle of the worst migration crisis, the traffic lights send completely the wrong signal at home and abroad,” said Throm.
The decision in favor of the reform was anything but clear: of the 639 votes cast, there were 382 yes votes and 234 no votes, with 23 abstentions.
In the vote in the second reading, the traffic light factions SPD, Greens and FDP had previously voted for the innovations and the CDU/CSU and AfD against them.
The non-attached MPs, most of whom belong to the Left or the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance, abstained.
(with dpa)