BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – In view of the tensions resulting from the Gaza war, CDU leader Friedrich Merz has called on the traffic light coalition to stop its planned reform of citizenship law. The possibility of naturalization after just three years instead of the previous at least five years is “absurd” given the current situation, said Merz on Sunday in the ARD program “Report from Berlin”.
Regarding proposals to make a written commitment to Israel’s right to exist a prerequisite for naturalization, Merz further said that one could not prevent this from ultimately only being signed as a formality. “That’s why we have to take a closer look at who should be naturalized in the Federal Republic of Germany,” demanded the opposition leader.
Merz called on the federal government to stop the reform – also in view of recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which also included anti-Semitic statements. “If we act like this when it comes to citizenship law, then we shouldn’t be surprised about further demonstrations of this kind,” he said.
With the new citizenship law, the federal government wants to introduce shorter minimum stays for naturalization – instead of eight years, five years should be enough, and in the case of special integration services, only three. The law already stipulates that the German passport should be excluded for people who have committed crimes for anti-Semitic or racist motives. The prerequisite should also be to be able to generally cover one’s living expenses without social benefits./jbz/DP/he