Half of the population in favor of new citizenship law
The lowering of the hurdles for naturalization planned by the Ampel coalition still convinced around half of the population in the spring. This is shown by the results of a representative survey conducted by the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (Dezim), which were made available to the German Press Agency.
At the time of the survey - between the end of March and the beginning of May - individual aspects of the proposed legislation were in some cases even more popular.
However, the survey does not reveal whether attitudes towards the reform of the citizenship law have changed since then due to the latest developments and debates on asylum policy and labor immigration. The Bundestag will discuss the proposal for the first time on Thursday.
Citizenship after just five years
According to the cabinet's decision, immigrants will be able to become citizens after just five years in Germany. Previously, they had to live in the country for eight years. If they perform well at school or at work, have good language skills or are involved in voluntary work, naturalization should be possible after just three years. Anyone who wants a German passport will no longer have to give up their old one.
Written German examinations and a naturalization test are to be waived for older people who once came to the country as workers via state agreements. They will only have to prove that they can communicate in German in everyday life without any significant problems.
63% of the people surveyed by Dezim were in favor of the fact that the draft provides for relief for former "guest workers" and foreign contract workers from the GDR in recognition of their lifetime achievements. 16 percent of people living in Germany viewed this proposal negatively. On a scale from "very good" to "very bad", 22% of respondents gave it an average rating.
In response to the more general question "How do you rate the proposal to make it easier to obtain a German passport under certain conditions?", 49% of respondents answered positively. 34% of Germans and foreigners surveyed gave a negative response. The answers of 17% of the almost 3,000 people who took part in the survey were in the middle.
The proposed reduction in the naturalization waiting period, along with relaxed requirements, has garnered support from 49% of the population, according to the survey. However, the integration of refugees and their smooth transition into German society remains a significant concern, requiring continuous efforts and support.
Source: www.dpa.com
