Berlin “forgets” social tensions. This makes Ius Soli easier

From tomorrow it will be even easier to become a German citizen and have dual citizenship. Changing German immigration and citizenship laws is, in fact, one of the most important promises made by the government of the Federal Republic of Germany Hey Ive Schultz during the election campaign. The aim of the Berlin Executive is to attract a greater number of qualified immigrants and to simplify the process of applying for dual citizenship and passport, in apparent contrast to the conservative policies of the Berlin government. Angela Merkel.

It is a pity that the federal government thus ignores the risks in terms of social tensions and the consequences that a decision of this magnitude might cause. Just think of what happened in recent days in some German cities and especially in Berlin where the police unions and the German fire brigade, after the New Year’s celebrations, registered as many as forty-one wounded among their members as real attacks and carried out. Going out against their vehicles and agents through the use of fireworks and birdsong. The SPD’s Home Secretary, Nancy Fraser, has called for any “racial resentment” to be avoided against those guilty of the acts, but the CDU, in opposition, accuses Schulz’s government of inaction.

But the Berlin government on its will to naturalize new immigrants is moving in the right direction. “Immigrant naturalization requires better rulesSchulz said in a tweet posted at the end of November.It is about respect and of course our prosperity. Because all these women and men contribute to a strong economy. It is okay if they choose German citizenshipHe added, “In his video message, Schultz highlighted the vital role immigrants played in rebuilding and strengthening Germany.”The chancellor said that Germany has become a country of hope for many. The women, men and sometimes children who came to Germany have contributed greatly to making our economy as strong as it is today.“.

What is changing in Germany

Interior Minister Nancy Visser He said that reducing the waiting periods for obtaining citizenship is “incentive for integration“, AboutNews agency In early December. “We are a modern and diverse country of immigration, and I believe legislation should reflect thatHe said. Until now, As he explains Deutsche Welleit was like this: anyone who had lived in the country for eight years, demonstrated knowledge of the German language, had an unlimited or permanent residence permit and was financially independent could become German.

Applicants must not have a criminal record. As a general rule, new Germans must renounce their previous citizenship and pass a language and general knowledge test. According to the Advisory Board for Integration and Migration, about five million people without German passports have been living in Germany for more than ten years. They would probably have become Germans if it were not so difficult to overcome the obstacles imposed by the bureaucracy.

Yes to dual citizenship. This is how Berlin facilitates the ios alone

The overturn of the Berlin government reform reduced the time to apply for a cittafinanza from eight to five years. SPD Home Secretary Nancy Visser added that anyone “Proving particularly well combined can reduce this period to three yearsFor all persons over the age of 67, language and general knowledge tests are required Orally only.

Furthermore, applicants will no longer have to be forced to renounce their previous citizenship in order to obtain German citizenship. In principle, it will also be possible to obtain dual citizenship for immigrants of Turkish origin, who make up the largest percentage of the immigrant population. Indeed, the Advisory Board on Immigration and Integration expects “Naturalization contractAs promised by the Chairman of the Independent Advisory Board, Prof Petra Bendel. “If the current momentum is maintained, it could reach over 157,000In the short term, he points out.

However, there is one thing: according to opinion polls, only 49% of Germans approve of the reform that the Schulz government wants. 45% of Germans, on the contrary, think it is a wrong law. Recent history teaches us: When former chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed hundreds of thousands of migrants from Syria in 2015, she halved her historic consensus, causing serious social tensions and opening the door to the rise of the far-right AfD party.

Would it be the same for Social Democrat Olaf Scholz – who is already very unpopular? Or maybe the Social Democratic government’s plan is precisely to win back votes thanks to the approval of naturalized German immigrants? What is certain is that it is a choice that could have dire consequences at a time of serious social tensions.