"Not a Discount Item at a Bargain Price": Stricter Citizenship Law Demanded

Citizenship is "not a discount item at a bargain price," as currently handled by the federal government, said the councilor responsible for security and asylum. "The states must implement the outdated federal guidelines," criticized Luisser. As an "immediate measure," he called for the suspension of paragraph 11a, paragraph 7 in the Citizenship Act, which states that under certain conditions, asylum seekers are to be granted citizenship after at least ten years of lawful and uninterrupted residence.

Lower Austrian Councilor Luisser Calls for More Restrictive Citizenship Law

As further points, Luisser mentioned the "fundamental avoidance of dual citizenships" and that the waiting period should only be "in absolute exceptional cases" merely six years. In cases of conviction to an unconditional imprisonment of six months or more, the period should be gradually increased. Support for the proposals came at the press conference from international and constitutional law expert Michael Geistlinger.

SOS Mitmensch accused Luisser in a statement of spreading misinformation and misleading the public. The councilor had stated in an interview with "Info direkt" that it must be ensured that "criminals are not naturalized." This has long been law, said SOS Mitmensch spokesperson Alexander Pollak. "Luisser's appearance, especially on a far-right channel under the observation of the constitutional protection agency, is unworthy of a member of a state government," said Pollak. "What is stated in this release is wrong," Luisser responded at the press conference when asked.

(APA/Red.)

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