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Local Germany
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Local Germany
FACT CHECK: Can you get German citizenship 'at the click of a mouse'?
A recent report on the topic of the German naturalisation in Berlin stirred up tired political debates around dual citizenship and digitalising the citizenship application process. Here's a look at what's been said versus what's true about applying for naturalisation. It started with a BILD article 'Now you can get your German passport at the click of a mouse' was the headline of a recent article published by the tabloid newspaper BILD. The report highlights Berlin's newly digitalised citizenship application process and claims that a 'rapid increase in naturalizations is due to the fact that applicants are being checked in person less and less'. It points to the fact that the number of naturalisations in Berlin has increased significantly since the application process was put online. The report sparked immediate political backlash and stirred up old debates. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) voiced concern in response to the report. He cited a rule requiring citizenship applicants to acknowledge their commitment to Germany's constitution and values including the protection of Jewish life, and said, 'I can hardly imagine that this will work without a personal appointment'. FACT CHECK: Do new German citizens have to affirm Israel's right to exist? Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) also engaged, telling BILD that he had asked the city-state's senator of the interior to clarify the citizenship process and explain how 'legal requirements are guaranteed'. Advertisement How does the digital citizenship process work? The idea, proposed by BILD, that one can easily obtain German citizenship 'at the click of a mouse' is demonstrably false. In fact, BILD 's own report includes a quote from a spokesperson for Berlin's immigration authority (LEA) that clarifies, 'A personal interview takes place after a positive application review.' Prospective Germans in Berlin must submit their naturalisation application and required documents to an online portal, which officials then check. This is different to many other German states where the process has not yet been digitalised. However, Berlin is not the only state to offer digital naturalisation services. In many parts of Bavaria applicants can submit their documents with the BayernPortal , and the city-state of Hamburg also has online submissions . With the digital process, in-person interviews to determine an applicant's German language knowledge are not necessary, for example. But applicants still need to prove their B1 level German language skills by passing an accredited language exam. The same goes for other basic requirements for citizenship – applicants' qualifications all need to be backed up by verifiable documents. CHECKLIST: What do I need to apply for German citizenship under the new law? If an application meets the requirements for German citizenship, then a final interview and ultimately a naturalisation ceremony are scheduled. Advertisement An LEA spokesman confirmed to Tagesspiegel that the digital process ensures that the same requirements are met, including 'inquiries to the security authorities such as the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the Federal Central Register...' The spokesman pushed back on the idea that the digital process is not as careful, adding, 'Rather the opposite is correct'. Efficiency as a scandal What was not mentioned in BILD 's report nor in the follow-up comments by Dobrindt or Wegner is that the LEA's digitalisation of the citizenship process (as well as other applications for residence permits ) came in response to a tremendous backlog of paperwork that had built up for years. As The Local reported, the Berlin authority's previous application process culminated in a backlog of some 40,000 applications last year – some of which in the form of physical files 'locked in a warehouse in Brandenburg' according to comments by the LEA director. READ ALSO: 'I've waited four years' - Foreigners in Berlin furious over German citizenship delays Since Berlin's LEA has rolled out its new digital application portal it has processed applications much more effectively, which partly explains why naturalisations in the capital city have increased significantly. Some online applicants in Berlin have reported receiving a decision on their application within a matter of weeks. That's significantly better than most immigration offices in Germany's big cities, many of which report expected processing times in the range of nine months to more than two years .
Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Berlin unveils Olympic bid with centenary of Nazi Games in sight
Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner (far right) taking part in a press conference to announce Berlin's bid to host the Summer Olympics. PHOTO: EPA-EFE BERLIN - Berlin on May 27 presented its proposal to hold the Summer Olympics, including a bid for the Games in 2036 that would fall exactly a century after the event was hosted by Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime. 'No matter where they take place, the 2036 Games will bring the Nazi Olympic Games from 1936 back into focus,' Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner said at the presentation. Hosting the 2036 Games would show 'a city which has changed in the past 100 years', Wegner said, during the event at the city's Olympic Stadium, built for the 1936 Games. 'No longer do we stand for exclusion and hate, but we instead are a colourful, diverse metropolis which is open to the world,' he said. Berlin joins Munich, hosts of the 1972 Olympics, Hamburg and a joint bid by cities in the heavily populated Rhine-Ruhr region vying to host the festival of sport. The hosts have until May 31 to submit their concepts to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), who will decide on a bid to be submitted to the International Olympic Committe (IOC) by autumn 2026. Berlin said it was also open to hosting the Games in 2040 or 2044, as well as 2036, without indicating a preference. The capital's proposal would see events held across the north and east of the country and at urban locations – mirroring the approach taken in Paris in 2024. Berlin officials said the beach volleyball would take place next to Berlin's Brandenburg Gate in the centre of the city. The skateboarding would be at the disused Tempelhof airport, already popular with casual skaters, while sailing events would be held on Germany's Baltic Sea coast in Kiel or Rostock. Previous bids in Germany have been undermined by local opposition. Munich, in an attempt to illustrate public support for the bid, have scheduled a referendum for October 2025. An initiative entitled 'NOlympia Berlin' has promised to push for a referendum on hosting the Games in the German capital. The 2028 Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles, with the Australian city of Brisbane hosting the Games four years later. According to the principle of rotating hosts between continents, a return to Europe is likely for the 2036 Games. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Berlin unveils Olympic bid with centenary of Nazi Games in sight
Berlin on Tuesday presented its proposal to hold the Summer Olympics, including a bid for the Games in 2036 that would fall exactly a century after the event was hosted by Adolf Hitler's Nazi Regime. "No matter where they take place, the 2036 Games will bring the Nazi Olympic Games from 1936 back into focus," Berlin's Mayor Kai Wegner said at the presentation. Hosting the 2036 Games would show "a city which has changed in the past 100 years", Wegner said in the event held at the city's Olympic Stadium, built for the 1936 Games. "No longer do we stand for exclusion and hate, but we instead are a colourful, diverse metropolis which is open to the world," he said. Berlin joins Munich, hosts of the 1972 Olympics, Hamburg and a joint bid by cities in the heavily populated Rhine-Ruhr region vying to host the festival of sport. The hosts have until Saturday to submit their concepts to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), who will decide on a bid to be submitted to the International Olympic Committe (IOC) by autumn 2026. Berlin said it was also open to hosting the Games in 2040 or 2044, as well as 2036, without indicating a preference. The capital's proposal would see events held across the north and east of the country and at urban locations -- mirroring the approach taken in Paris in 2024. Berlin officials said the beach volleyball would take place next to Berlin's Brandenburg Gate in the centre of the city. The skateboarding would be at the disused Tempelhof airport, already popular with casual skaters, while sailing events would be held on Germany's Baltic Sea coast in Kiel or Rostock. Previous bids in Germany have been undermined by local opposition. Munich, in an attempt to illustrate public support for the bid, have scheduled a referendum for October 2025. An initiative entitled 'NOlympia Berlin' has promised to push for a referendum on hosting the Games in the German capital. The 2028 Summer Olympics will take place in Los Angeles, with the Australian city of Brisbane hosting the Games four years later. According to the principle of rotating hosts between continents, a return to Europe is likely for the 2036 Games. dwi/lp
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Berlin plans Olympic beach volleyball at Brandenburg Gate if chosen
People stand in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. Berlin would hold the Olympic beach volleyball next to the Brandenburg Gate if it is chosen as Germany's bidder for the 2036 or 2040 Games. Paul Zinken/dpa Berlin would hold the Olympic beach volleyball next to the Brandenburg Gate if it is chosen as Germany's bidder for the 2036 or 2040 Games. The plans were included in the city's official bid submission to the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), which was made available on Tuesday. Advertisement "This is a huge opportunity. An opportunity for sport, an opportunity for Berlin, an opportunity for Germany," Berlin mayor Kai Wegner said at the city's Olympic Stadium, which was the centre point of the 1936 Games under Nazi rule. Berlin, bidding together with the German states of Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein as the conceptualized Berlin+, wants to host the Olympics exactly 100 years later to show how much the city has changed. In addition to Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and North Rhine-Westphalia (with the Rhine and Ruhr region) also want to be Germany's bidder. The final decision on the German bid is to be made by the third quarter of 2026. The NOlympia Berlin initiative wants to prevent an Olympic Games in the capital and plans to force a referendum against the proposals.
Travel Daily News
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Travel Daily News
Berlin announces first 'Berlin Freedom Week' in November 2025
First 'Berlin Freedom Week' will take place from November 8 -15, 2025. Patron is the Governing Mayor of Berlin Kai Wegner. BERLIN – Berlin is organizing the 'Berlin Freedom Week' for the first time from November 8-15, 2025. As part of this new initiative, numerous events on the topics of freedom and democracy will take place across the city to mark the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Conference formats, cultural events, workshops and interactive offers for all generations are planned, aimed at German and international guests as well as Berliners. Organizations and institutions are invited to participate with their own events. The Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner said: 'Berlin is the city of freedom – and therefore the right place for the first 'Berlin Freedom Week'. In view of the war in Europe, the global crises and challenges, we must do everything we can to secure and strengthen democracy and defend people's freedom wherever it is threatened. The exchange at the conferences and events of Berlin Freedom Week is of the utmost importance – for us and for all those who stand up for freedom, the rule of law and our democratic values.' Burkhard Kieker, Managing Director of visitBerlin commented: 'With the Berlin Freedom Week, the capital is creating a new platform for global exchange on freedom, democratic values and human rights. In future, it will take place every year around November 9. The German capital will once again show why it is regarded worldwide as a symbol of freedom and democracy. No other city would be better suited than Berlin to celebrate freedom and give a stage to committed voices from all over the world who stand up for freedom, democracy and human rights.' Patron is Mayor Kai Wegner. The initiators of the Week include visitBerlin, the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, the World Liberty Congress, the Berlin Commissioner for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship and the Robert Havemann Society. 'Berlin Freedom Conference' on November 10 A highlight of the week of events on November 10. Leading players from national and international politics, civil society, business, culture and the media will come together to forge new alliances for the defense of freedom and democracy and to promote democratic change in unfree societies worldwide. The conference is organized by visitBerlin in cooperation with the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation and the World Liberty Congress and funded by the Lotto Foundation Berlin. 'World Liberty Congress': United dissidents from around the world meet in Berlin More than 200 freedom fighters and pro-democracy leaders from more than 50 authoritarian countries around the world are traveling to the city for the II General Assembly of the World Liberty Congress to discuss the issues of democratic change in their countries of origin. The World Liberty Congress is the largest global alliance of pro-democracy leaders. For them, the fall of the Berlin Wall is a symbol of hope. That is why they have chosen Berlin as the city for their General Assembly. This underlines the symbolic importance of Berlin as a city of freedom and a place for democracy and human rights. Leopoldo López, leading member of the opposition movement in Venezuela and co-founder of the World Liberty Congress: 'The Berlin Wall once stood as a stark line between tyranny and freedom – its fall was a triumph of courage over oppression. But today, new Berlin Walls still rise in the form of authoritarian regimes that silence, imprison, and kill those who dare to dissent. As brave freedom fighters continue their struggle around the world, Berlin reminds us that no wall is too high, no regime too strong, to be brought down. That's why the World Liberty Congress is bringing together dissidents and democracy leaders from across the globe for Berlin Freedom Week – to unite, learn from one another, and strengthen the global fight for freedom.' Antje Schippmann, Managing Director of the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation says: 'Freedom is on the retreat worldwide. Authoritarian regimes, from Moscow to Caracas, support each other militarily, technologically and politically. This makes it all the more important for democratic forces around the world to work together more closely. As the Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, we are continuing to work together with the city of Berlin to achieve this. Berlin Freedom Week creates new spaces for encounters, ideas and networks. It connects courageous dissidents who fight for democracy in dictatorships with international decision-makers from politics, business, defense and technology and a broad public.'
