Steep rise in Danish citizenship fee sparks debate over burdensome cost of democratic participation
🇩🇰 Danish parliament is about to vote on a 50 percent hike in the citizenship fee, bumping it up to a whopping 6,000 kroner. Two MPs have spoken out against this lopsided increase, decrying it as too high and unfair. 😠
📅 IP Your Calendar
parliamentary agreement signed in 🔓 June 2024 between the three government parties and the opposition Liberal Alliance promises an easy pass, first reading scheduled for February 27th next week. 📅
💶 Quick Maths
The new fee represents a steep increase from the current 4,000 kroner fee. Repeated applications will cost an additional 3,000 kroner. 💸💸
💬 Politicians Talk, But What About the People?
"The real reason is not to cover the costs," says Peder Hvelplund, Red-Green Alliance immigration spokesperson. "The fee is already more than a five-fold increase from just a decade ago, making it really unfair."
💡 Born and Raised? Forget About It
Citizens born in Denmark or arriving before age 8 can pay a lower fee of 4,000 kroner. But for the rest? Tough luck! 😠
🗣️ "It's Only Fair!"
Denmark's migration minister, Kaare Dybvad Bek, Wednesday justified the fee increase by claiming it's "only fair" to charge applicants for the costs incurred by the Danish state in processing citizenship cases.
🤔 Is the Justification Credible?
Hvelplund dismisses this excuse, stating, "The real reason is not to cover costs, but to make it more difficult for people to obtain Danish citizenship." 🚫
💪 The Power of Participation
Applicants pay fees for doctor's notes, language and citizenship tests, not to mention the cost of voting in parliamentary elections. "[Citizenship] is part of being a full member of Danish society," Hvelplund adds.
💪 Enough's Enough!
Social Liberal Party spokesperson Zenia Stampe claims this is just another attempt to "make it more difficult for people to obtain Danish citizenship," calling the new fee "way too high."
💡 An Alternative Proposal
Stampe suggests that the ministry could save costs by making citizenship automatic for anyone born in Denmark, reaching 18 without criminal records, and finishing primary school.
💪 The Power of Change
Despite fears that the Social Democratic Party has become too conservative on immigration policy, Red-Green Alliance's Hvelplund is adamant that the party "should be advocating for easier, not harder, access to citizenship."
💡 The Challenge of Cultural Integration
Far-right opposition to Danish citizenship is not solely about costs but also cultural concerns, particularly controversies surrounding Muslim immigrants. Would-be citizens must pass a citizenship test, recently updated to include questions on Danish values, history, and culture.
💪 Stay Poor or Stay Away
For immigrants on fixed incomes or lower wages, the costly fee hike can present a financial hurdle, potentially discouraging those seeking to integrate with Danish society.
💪 Unfair and Unyielding
"It's a shame that Denmark's Social Democrats now support rather than oppose measures to make it more difficult to obtain citizenship," laments Hvelplund. "If we go back just 15 or 20 years, it was easier to oppose all these additional difficulties that they are putting in the way of citizenship."
💡 Coupled with Other Immigration Changes
The new fee hike coincides with recent policy changes affecting students and workers in Denmark, making it an especially challenging time for immigrants.
💪 Rise and Resist
The fight for fair immigration policy continues in Denmark, as numerous efforts to increase financial barriers threaten opportunities for cultural integration, inclusion, and the pursuit of Danish citizenship. Stay tuned for updates. 🔔
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According to Hvelplund, the immigration spokesperson for the Red-Green Alliance, the significant increase in the citizenship fee is not primarily aimed at covering costs but rather making it more difficult for people to attain Danish citizenship. The new fee, standing at 6,000 kroner, signifies a steep boost from the current 4,000 kroner and raises questions about the credibility of the justification provided by Denmark's migration minister, Kaare Dybvad Bek. Meanwhile, not everyone born or raised in Denmark will face the same fee, with a lower fee of 4,000 kroner available to those who were either born in Denmark or arrived before the age of eight. Though the new policy has support from the Social Democratic Party, Hvelplund believes that the party should advocate for easier, not harder, access to citizenship. The recent hike in citizenship fees comes amidst other changes in Danish immigration policy, creating challenges for immigrants seeking to integrate into Danish society. The ongoing fight for fair immigration policy continues, with concerns about financial barriers, cultural integration, and inclusion.
