Several politicians from the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Christian Social Union (CSU) are calling for a fundamental overhaul of Germany’s citizenship laws, targeting dual citizenship. The proposal comes amid record naturalizations last year, reaching 292,000, 28% of whom were Syrians. Currently, around 80% of new citizens retain their original passport alongside their German citizenship.
CSU’s Stephan Mayer, a former minister of the interior, told Bild:
Violent offenders, serious criminals, enemies of the constitution, antisemites, and German-haters must have their citizenship revoked immediately if they hold two passports. It cannot be that we grant people the privilege of citizenship and they trample on our values and us.
Mayer emphasized the need for “a fundamental reform of citizenship law.”
Hesse Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) suggested examining whether supporters of the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas could be stripped of German citizenship.
“Especially in light of current developments in the Middle East, it must be examined whether Hamas supporters can be deprived of their German citizenship,” Poseck told Bild, arguing that affiliation with the Palestinian terrorist organization contradicts Germany’s fundamental values.
Cornell Babendererde (CDU), responsible for naturalization law in the parliamentary group, stated that dual citizenship “should be the exception, not the rule.” Babendererde highlighted that retaining a foreign passport could indicate weaker identification with Germany: “Is the love and identification with our country perhaps not so strong after all, and is it perhaps more about preserving the advantages guaranteed by a German passport?”
Exceptions would be made for descendants of Nazi victims. Babendererde said: “This naturalization as restitution is an expression of our responsibility to history.”
The debate was sparked by a Berlin case in which a Palestinian man, naturalized in Germany, posted praise for Hamas on Instagram one day after receiving citizenship. Authorities are now considering revocation, as he allegedly made a false declaration during the naturalization process concerning his opposition to antisemitism.
As citizenship law is federal, a simple majority in the Bundestag would be sufficient to enact the changes. However, the CDU/CSU would need to secure support from the leftist coalition partner Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD), leaving the outcome uncertain.
Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) leader Alice Weidel added on X: “CDU members of parliament want to abolish dual citizenship—we want that too. If they were truly committed to the issue, it would always be possible to find a majority for it in the Bundestag. Until then, the CDU/CSU’s announcements aren’t worth the paper they’re written on.”
