“Absurd” and “unacceptable”: Union politicians condemn Wegner’s naturalization goal for Berlin

Criticism is mounting within the CDU/CSU (Christian Democratic Union) over Berlin's naturalization target. Alexander Throm ( CDU ), domestic policy spokesman for the Bundestag parliamentary group, told the Bild newspaper that the target of 40,000 naturalizations by 2025 was "completely unreasonable." CSU interior politician Thomas Silberhorn also rejected the Berlin immigration authority's target. "The Bundestag will abolish turbo naturalization in the fall. The fact that these procedures are now being accelerated in Berlin undermines existing legislation," he told the Bild newspaper. This is "unacceptable."

The newspaper had previously reported on plans by the State Office for Immigration (LEA) to naturalize a total of 40,000 people in Berlin this year. This would be double the number of last year. The reason for this is the high number of applications.

While neither Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) nor Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) responded to Bild's inquiries, Hesse's CDU Interior Minister Roman Poseck reacted with incomprehension. Poseck told the newspaper this was "absurd." "Naturalization must depend on clear requirements and not on any kind of plan."

LEA head Engelbert Mazanke told Bild that the requirement was a "management decision." In Berlin, there are "40,000 pending naturalization applications from the districts." The state office has, among other things, hired more staff for this purpose. At the same time, he emphasized that no migrants are being naturalized illegally.

On Sunday, Bild reported on the LEA's plans. The newspaper cited an internal protocol it had obtained. The requirement is causing pressure among LEA employees. The report quotes an anonymous employee as saying: "We have to produce high naturalization numbers." He and his colleagues in Department S must naturalize at least eight foreigners per week. This will be rewarded with permission to work from home.