If you want the red passport, you better speak German

The hurdles on the way to the Swiss passport should be higher. Immediately Movement the SVP calls for tightening of the naturalization law in the canton of Zug: those who want to naturalize should be better able to speak German.

In the future, they must have oral German language skills at language level B2 and written language skills at level B1. To clarify: there are six different language levels. A1 is the deepest (beginner), C2 the highest (almost native language knowledge).

“Minimum requirements are too low”

Nowadays oral B1 knowledge and written A2 knowledge suffice in the canton of Zug. This is also regulated in the Ordinance on Swiss Citizenship, which sets out the minimum language requirements. However, the cantons can also set higher hurdles. And that is exactly what the SVP is planning in the canton of Zug.

“In our opinion, the minimum requirements for naturalization are currently too low, even in the canton of Zug,” SVP faction leader Philip C. Brunner told the Zentralplus portal. He refers to other cantons such as St. Gallen or Schwyz, which have also increased language barriers to naturalisation. “Having a Swiss passport is a great privilege,” says Brunner. “And an important part of successful integration is the language.”

For Zuger SP only a mock solution

The Zuger SP sees it differently. It is true that learning the German language is essential for successful integration. But it is only one element for a successful integration. “Participation and participation in social life and the work process are just as important,” says SP party chairman Beat eat quoted.

Focusing only on the language is “an extremely one-sided approach that does not do justice to the complexities of naturalisation”. A tightening of the language level for the SP would therefore only be a sham solution.

Simultaneously redirected eat that the Naturalization Act was tightened nationwide in 2018. A significant decrease in naturalization has been observed since then. “The hurdles have become too high for many.”

Further tightening is therefore not necessary for the SP. “With the increase in language requirements, there is also a risk of creating a two-class society,” he said eat. “People who moved here from German-speaking countries or with an education are more likely to be naturalized, regardless of how well integrated they are.”

People’s initiative wants to facilitate naturalization

At the national level, efforts are currently being made to lower the thresholds for naturalization. The association continues with a corresponding initiative «four quarters» to a « fundamental right to naturalization ». The referendum demands that foreigners be entitled to Swiss citizenship if they have legally resided in Switzerland for five years. Today it takes ten years.

The association believes that everyone living in Switzerland has the right to full political and social participation.four quarters» stated in his manifesto: «The way to achieve this is naturalisation: the right to participate in elections and voting, to a safe place of residence and – above all – the right to be recognized as a full member of the community.» The association plans to begin collecting signatures this spring.

Source:Blick