BERLIN: The German parliament on Wednesday repealed a fast-track citizenship law introduced by the previous government, highlighting the souring public mood toward immigration in the country.
The measure made it possible to apply for German citizenship after three years, rather than the usual five, for those who could show they had integrated particularly well.
It was introduced by the previous government, led by the center-left SPD party, who argued it would attract more overseas workers to plug labor shortages in many industries.
But Friedrich Merz — from the center-right CDU, who took power in May — had pledged on the campaign trail to overturn the law as part of efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.
Ahead of the vote in parliament, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said that the government was sending a “clear signal.”
“The German passport will be available as recognition of successful integration and not as an incentive for illegal migration,” he said.
Merz’s coalition has taken a hard line on immigration, seeking to combat the growing popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany, which came second in February’s general election.
Attitudes toward migration have hardened in recent years in Germany, particularly in areas where critics argue they have placed strains on public services.
A total of 450 lawmakers voted to repeal the law — including those from the SPD and AfD — while 134 voted against the measure.
The SPD, junior partners in Merz’s coalition, defended supporting repealing the fast-track program, arguing it was rarely used.
The new government has however left in place other key aspects of the previous coalition’s immigration reforms.
This includes lowering the number of years before a migrant can apply for German citizenship to five, from eight previously, and allowing dual citizenship in most cases.