Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) - In the debate about a new version of citizenship law, Hesse's Prime Minister Boris Rhein (CDU) called for careful formulations. This must be done with consideration for those people who have integrated into Germany and enriched this country, Rhein told the newspapers of the Bayern media group. "It's also wrong to see them primarily as tax or pension payers, or workers and employees of companies. Immigration has also enriched Germany culturally."
Asked about statements from the ranks of the Union, Rhein said: "I understand if someone who has fully integrated and obtained citizenship feels insulted and denigrated by the term "cheated". I advise more caution and sensitivity in the wording ."
In general, Rhein was in favor of not making the length of stay of foreigners the yardstick for naturalization, but rather qualitative criteria. "The decisive factor must be whether someone integrates, how they behave, whether they respect the rules of the Basic Law and, in particular, whether they fit and want to fit in with the country."
