The German government's proposed overhaul of citizenship rules is part of a broader push to attract and assimilate more foreign workers as a way to plug Germany's labor and skills shortages, which are set to only grow in the coming years due to the country's aging population. But Berlin's efforts risk backfiring by accelerating the rise of far-right, xenophobic parties. On Aug. 23, the German government approved a draft law reforming the country's citizenship rules that aims to facilitate the naturalization of foreigners and their assimilation into the country. The bill will now face a vote in the German Bundestag, which could take place shortly after lawmakers return from summer recess on Sept. 5. If approved by the parliament, the reform will reduce the residence requirements for citizenship from eight to five years for everyone, and to only three years for people who have very advanced German language skills, exceptional...
