Skip next section Interior Minister Dobrindt to present bill abolishing 3-year ciitizenship path
05/27/2025May 27, 2025
Interior Minister Dobrindt to present bill abolishing 3-year ciitizenship path
German Interior Minister is set to present a draft bill to the German Cabinet that would allowing people to become German nationals after just three years in the country.
“The express naturalization after three years residency was misguided,” Dobrindt told the mass-circulation Bild daily on Wednesday.
“We are going to end that now. must stand at the end of a process of integration and not at the start,” he said, adding that three years in Germany was too short a time “to become integrated into the way of life in Germany.”
Dobrindt, who belongs to the conservative Bavarian , the sister party to Chancellor Merz’s , said abolishing the fast-track citizenship provisions would reduce “pull factors” for illegal immigration.
The previous three-way coalition of center-left , and business-friendly introduced laws last year under which
Applicants must have a strong C1 level in the to quality for the 3-year path. They must also be involved in volunteering or have very good performance at school or work to prove their exceptional integration in German society.
Naturalization without such “exceptional integration” was made possible after five years’ residency, down from the previous eight years.
Despite the fast-tracking laws, the in some parts of Germany can take up to two years in certain situations.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uxyi
Skip next section Solingen knife attack trial begins in Dusseldorf05/27/2025May 27, 2025
Solingen knife attack trial begins in Dusseldorf
A deadly knife attack at a street festival in the western German city of Solingen last August fueled the ongoing heated debate on asylum policy and security, with the suspected attacker being a rejected asylum-seeker from Syria.
DW’s Ralf Bosen has .
https://p.dw.com/p/4uxUg
Skip next section Merz voices concern at intensification of Israel’s Gaza offensive
05/27/2025May 27, 2025
Merz voices concern at intensification of Israel’s Gaza offensive
Speaking in Turku, , Merz has elaborated on criticism of that .
“We are deeply saddened by the fate and terrible suffering of the civilian population,” Merz said at a joint news conference with the Finnish premier, adding that he viewed the events of the past few days “very, very critically.”
Merz reiterated Germany’s commitment to Israel’s right to existence and self-defense, and said Germany “condemns ‘ terror without ifs or buts.”
But, he said, “we are more than concerned about the intensification of the Israeli army’s military activities in Gaza.”
“I cannot see any logic anymore in the massive military strikes by the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip as to how they serve the goal of fighting terror and freeing the hostages,” he said, speaking of those taken hostage during the Hamas-led terror attacks on October 7, 2023.
He said Israel’s actions no longer seemed to him “vital for the defense of Israel’s right to exist and the fight against Hamas terrorism.”
Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo also called the Israeli actions “not at all acceptable,” calling also for more humanitarian aid to be delivered to Gaza residents.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uxTL
05/27/2025May 27, 2025
Merz warns that no end to Ukraine war is in sight, clarifies long-range weapons statement
Chancellor has said that Russia’s apparent reluctance to enter peace negotiations means could continue for “a longer duration.”
“Wars typically end because of economic or military exhaustion on one side or on both sides, and in this war we are obviously still far from reaching that [situation[,” Merz said at a joint press conference with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo in Turku.
“So we may have to prepare for a longer duration,” Merz added.
He said that if the Russian side was not prepared to take up an , it showed that Moscow had no interest in agreeing a ceasefire or peace deal.
He said Germany and the EU would strengthen their pressure on Russia in a bid to bring it to the negotiating table.
Merz also said the decision announced on Monday to was one taken months ago. He confirmed that Ukraine can use weapons it receives against military targets on Russian territory.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uxNz
Skip next section Welcome to our coverage05/27/2025May 27, 2025
Welcome to our coverage
The DW newsroom in Bonn wishes all our readers and users einen schönen guten Tag as it brings you reports covering the main headlines in Germany.
This blog will provide you the latest news, analysis, multimedia content and DW on-the-ground reporting on events in and connected with Europe’s biggest economy.
https://p.dw.com/p/4uxMm
The post Germany updates: Merz clarifies Ukraine, Gaza stance appeared first on Deutsche Welle.
