Germany Ends Fast-Track Citizenship Route Amid Shifting Views on Migration
Germany’s parliament has revoked a policy that allowed certain individuals to obtain citizenship in three years instead of five, highlighting the changing political stance on migration in the country.
The decision followed a campaign pledge by Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative party to repeal the measure, which previously granted expedited citizenship to those considered "exceptionally well integrated."
“German citizenship should recognize successful integration, not encourage unauthorized migration,” said interior minister Alexander Dobrindt during the parliamentary debate.
The rest of the updated citizenship law, introduced under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government, remains in place, including provisions on dual citizenship and reducing the standard residency requirement from eight to five years.
The Social Democrats (SPD), now part of Merz’s coalition, justified their support for scrapping the fast-track option, arguing it was seldom used and that the broader reforms remain effective.
Of the 300,000 naturalizations recorded
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