The furore surrounding Germany's 'turbo naturalization' plans shows no signs of abating.
Under this new scheme, migrants could gain German citizenship in as little as five years, or in some exceptional cases, even after just three years. Previously, citizenship was granted no sooner than eight years.
Critics are questioning if the SPD, Greens, and FDP are taking sufficient steps to prevent anti-Semites from acquiring German passports down the line.
CDU Calls for a halt
CDU leader Friedrich Merz (68) implores the coalition government to halt these plans. Andrea Lindholz (53), deputy leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, further remarks: "Our nation is grappling with a devastating migration crisis, and anti-Semites aim to establish a caliphate on our streets." In contrast, the traffic light coalition (SPD, Greens, and FDP) intends to bestow German passports with unprecedented generosity.
FDP parliamentary group leader Christian Dürr (46) defends the Ampel party's plans. "For years, individuals with an anti-Semitic background have been naturalized in Germany," he says, emphasizing the need for an immediate halt to this practice.
Union politicians who still believed that the naturalization law they crafted could remain unaltered, "have not heard the shot," Dürr remarks.
Concerns over Imported Anti-Semitism
Additionally, the Federal Statistical Office reveals that almost 3.08 million refugees were registered in the German Central Register of Foreigners at the end of last year. Among the principal countries of origin are Syria (674,000 people), Afghanistan (286,000), Iraq (211,000), and Turkey (101,000 people). Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (69) has repeatedly championed Hamas militant Islamists and incited against Israel since the Hamas assault on Israel on October 7 (1,200 deaths, over 200 abductions).
What Experts Say
Yet, some specialists ponder, "But what if a foreigner hides their anti-Semitism during the naturalization application process?" According to the Emergency Registration of Citizenship Decisions (EStA), which the Federal Office of Administration maintains, German citizenship was revoked in 522 cases between 2015 and 2022. In comparison, 168,775 individuals were naturalized in 2022 alone.
Specialist lawyer for migration law, Philipp Pruy (36), highlights a significant shift in the new law: "In the future, even mundane anti-Semitic acts beneath the threshold of criminal liability could disqualify naturalization candidates." However, the expansion of the naturalization exam to include anti-Semitism, first mooted in 2021, was not realized.
University of Konstanz law professor Daniel Thym (50) opines: "The legislation simply cannot eliminate the possibility that people with anti-Semitic leanings may be naturalized."
Because, he explains, "authorities - rightfully so! - cannot scrutinize our inner thoughts or all of our non-criminal activities in our free time."
Approval by Christmas
The bill is scheduled for its initial reading in the Bundestag on December 1st, followed by an expert hearing ten days later. The aim is to have this legislation passed prior to Christmas.
"Anti-Semites will not be issued German passports," Says SPD deputy leader Dirk Wiese (40). "We'll ensure this on multiple levels through the new citizenship law."
The controversy surrounding the 'turbo naturalization' proposal in Germany continues, with many doubtful that the SPD, Greens, and FDP are taking adequate steps to inhibit anti-Semites from acquiring German citizenship.
