RIGHTS: How To Be a German

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Jess Smee

BERLIN, May 11 2006 (IPS) - After months of wrangling and soul-searching, German politicians have hammered out new guidelines on how to become a German citizen.

In the latest of a pan-European spate of immigration debates, Germany ruled that immigrants seeking a German passport will have to pass a language test and attend an “integration course” focusing on the German constitution and German values, such as gender equality. Newcomers will also take part in a U.S.-styled citizenship ceremony.

Among the package of measures unveiled last Friday, politicians from Germany’s 16 federal states agreed to fast-track immigrants who are already well adjusted to German society, for example through strong language skills or voluntary social work. Such people will be able to apply for citizenship after six years instead of the usual eight.

Politicians from across the spectrum welcomed the guidelines, which represent a step forward for a country which has long shied away from legislating on integration of immigrants. German interior minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said it was “the correct solution to one of society’s central questions.”

Germany has some 6.7 million people of foreign origin, making up nearly nine percent of the country’s population – one of Europe’s highest immigrant ratios. Given the country’s extremely low birth rate and shrinking working-age population, Germany will have to attract more foreign workers, economists say.

Turkish nationals are by far the largest group, accounting for 28 percent of all people of foreign origin. Turkish Community, an organisation representing Turkish people in Berlin and Brandenburg, warned that the new immigration courses could pose an extra burden for immigrants.

“Becoming a German citizen is already a drawn-out process. There are many hurdles,” Kenan Kolat who heads the organisation told IPS. “Attending extra immigration courses in the evening is a lot to ask of people who work during the day, and the written tests are hard for older immigrants who have learnt German in everyday life rather than in a classroom.”

The new guidelines are the latest development in a long-term reassessment of immigration policy. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has planned an ‘immigration summit’ for June.

Political debate and public concern about the assimilation of newcomers has been fanned by high profile news stories over the past few months. A court case where Turkish brothers were accused of murdering their sister because she lived a “German” lifestyle, and news of a violence-ridden secondary school where most students were from the families of immigrants, fuelled fears that more needed to be done. But the debate is by no means unique to Germany. Since the Sep. 11 attacks on the United States, European politicians have been worrying about the consequences of failing to integrate immigrants.

Attacks in Madrid and London, street riots in Paris, the murder of Islam-critical film director Theo Van Gogh in Holland and the furore over the Muhammad cartoons printed in some European newspapers have added to the sense of urgency.

Earlier this year, there have been pan-European moves to encourage immigrants to accept and understand the culture of their new homes. Some of the biggest European Union countries outlined plans to draw up an “integration contract” in which new immigrants would agree to respect western values.

Across the continent, citizenship has been increasingly tied to knowledge of language and culture. In February, Holland ruled that “non-westerners” seeking a Dutch passport would have to sit an exam testing language, culture, history and values. Famously, it also said that newcomers must watch a film showing topless women, and gay men kissing.

Earlier this month, France announced plans to introduce selective immigration. It said it would promote French lessons and courses in civic education.

In Britain, the Labour government last year unveiled a “Britishness test” for would-be citizens. As well as testing language skills, the exam posed questions on government practices.

But immigration expert Guenter Piening said the political emphasis on testing for prospective citizens was mistaken.

“Germany’s problem is not that too many people are applying for citizenship, but too few,” he told IPS, adding that the number of new German citizens had been declining over the past few years.

“In Berlin, one in four people do not have citizenship; that means that they cannot vote, and democracy suffers.”

It has taken German politicians many years to recognise that immigrants are a permanent part of society. Immigration to Germany rocketed during the 1950s and 60s during the post-war economic boom. Little provision was made for these “guest workers” (Gastarbeiter) who were expected to return to their home countries after a few years.

But many immigrants settled in the country – a reality belatedly dealt with by politicians in the1990s.

More than 3.2 million foreigners have obtained German citizenship since 1970, according to the German Foreign Ministry. In 2004, 127,000 people became German.

The new guidelines controversial proposals made by the conservative states of Hesse and Baden-Wuerttemburg earlier this year. They had wanted to introduce questionnaires on topics like sexuality, gender issues, Islamic fundamentalism, education and terrorism.

These plans were criticised by left-wing politicians and the Turkish community as interfering with private attitudes and stereotyping Muslims.

Piening said much damage had already been wrought by those proposals, which hindered integration rather than helping it.

“The latest guidelines have been overshadowed by the bad atmosphere of these embarrassing and discriminating quiz and questionnaire proposals,” he said. “Instead of making immigrants feel welcome, at present there is a feeling of not being wanted. That is the worst outcome for integration.”