The German government and the opposition, after years of disputes, have achieved a breakthrough in the adoption of new immigration legislation. As Deutsche Welle reports, based on the agreements, the final text of the law will be drafted, and after its entry into force Germany will be ready to receive qualified immigrants needed by the country.
Currently, the Federal Republic of Germany has a law in force, adopted back in Bismarck's time, which grants the right to reunification with the historical homeland to those "foreigners" in whose veins German blood flows. For three years, residents of Germany and potential migrants followed the course of discussions, during which all the pros and cons of liberalizing and modernizing German immigration law were weighed. The government spoke of new chances and prospects, the opposition - of threats to the labor market and internal security. The bill underwent changes, was put to a vote, received a majority of votes, was challenged through the constitutional court, was sent back for revision, and almost became waste paper when one of the negotiating parties threatened to leave them early. And now, finally, this long-suffering document has received a chance to acquire the force of law.
On May 25, 2004, in Berlin, after a decisive round of negotiations involving German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, who had taken the matter into his own hands shortly before that day, and the leaders of the Christian opposition, the long-awaited result was announced. A compromise has been reached: the bill drafted by the federal government will include, at the request of the opposition, additional measures aimed at combating terror. The parties also reached agreement in areas such as labor migration, refugee protection, and the integration of foreigners into Germany. As Gerhard Schröder said, pleased with the result, "this will be a modern immigration law."
In his first television interview after the end of the negotiations, Schröder confidently stated that the bill would be approved and Germany would receive new immigration legislation. The mechanisms regulating immigration into the country must become more flexible, the chancellor said. Germany needs highly qualified specialists: engineers and scientists. The new legislation should ensure their access to the German labor market.
The same applies to graduates of German universities, the chancellor noted. Permission for foreigners to open their own business in Germany should be granted with regard to the country's internal interests. Security should be strengthened through stricter treatment of potential criminals and terrorists. At the same time, greater protection is guaranteed to refugees. As for the integration of foreigners already living in Germany, in addition to new rights, they will also have new obligations.