German parliament approves removing restrictions on dual passports and relaxing citizenship requirements.
Lawmakers in Germany have approved a bill that streamlines the naturalization procedure and eliminates limitations on holding two citizenships. The socially liberal coalition led by center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz approved the measure in parliament by a vote of 382-234, with 23 members voting against. According to the government, this action will improve immigrant assimilation and increase Germany’s appeal to talented workers. The new law reduces the duration of residency to five years, or three years in the case of exceptional integration achievements, in order to qualify for citizenship.
Children born in Germany automatically become citizens after one parent has lived there lawfully for five years. Additionally, the act eliminates limitations on possessing dual citizenship. The administration emphasizes how important it is to match Germany’s citizenship laws with those of its neighbors in Europe in order to attract a larger pool of skilled individuals from around the world.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser underlined the need of providing eligible individuals globally with the chance to obtain German citizenship, similar to procedures in the United States and Canada. The amended law makes it clear that racism and antisemitism are incompatible with upholding the principles of free democracy. Opponents claim that the legislation diminishes the significance of German citizenship and voice worries about inadequate regulations and the political ramifications of holding dual citizenship. This revision to the citizenship law is a component of a larger set of social reforms spearheaded by Scholz’s coalition, which also includes plans to simplify gender and name changes for transgender people and liberalize cannabis regulations.
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