Via Deutsche Welle:
New legislation introduced in the German parliament could allow certain groups to get a German passport more easily and quickly, as well as granting more people the right to hold dual citizenship.
Currently, immigrants who want to get German citizenship must take a naturalization test and show that they have a firm grasp of the language. In addition, they generally have to renounce their previous citizenship.
Pensioners who came to the country as immigrants are one of the groups that would benefit most from a change to the law. If the bill were passed, a person who is over 53 years old and has been living in Germany for at least 15 years could apply for a passport without meeting the language requirements.
"If a person has made a contribution to this society, I want to make it easier for them to become citizens," Green party parliamentarian Memet Kilic told Deutsche Welle. "Especially older immigrants - who gave their youth and health to build up this country - should be able to obtain citizenship without a language requirement. That way, we can win the hearts of their children and grandchildren for this country."
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