German Parliament Abolishes Fast-Track Citizenship Program
The German Parliament abolished a program on Wednesday that allowed for rapid granting of citizenship. This decision reflects a sudden shift in stance on immigration in this powerful European economy, which is struggling with a labor shortage.
During this year's election campaign, the Conservatives, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, had pledged to repeal the legislation that enabled individuals who had achieved "exceptional integration" to obtain German citizenship in three years instead of five.
German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt stated before Parliament: "The German passport must be a recognition of a successful integration process, and not an incentive for illegal immigration."
Among the 300,000 naturalization applications submitted in 2024 (a record number), only a few hundred had been accepted through the fast-track procedure. The program was initially designed to encourage skilled workers to settle in Germany, a country facing a shortage of workers.
Applicants for this procedure had to demonstrate concrete achievements, such as proficiency in the German language, volunteer service, or professional or academic success.
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