The big naturalization test

Over 290,000 naturalizations in 2024 [1]. Another all-time high. That is 46% more than in the previous year, the last peak. As in 2023, the lion's share of new German citizens - 28% - come from Syria.

German passport equals better integration, equals more identification with Germany. This has been the official logic for years. This is why the Citizenship Modernization Act came into force on 27 June 2024, which further lowered the hurdles to naturalization. A law made up of 13 syllables? That must be a good law.

The German passport is being sold off. That is what critics claim. Malicious tongues even suspect that a politically intended side effect of the many naturalizations is to be sought and found in the depths of police crime statistics. After all, the official PKS does not ask about the migration background of suspects. German equals German.

How high are the hurdles to obtaining German citizenship? Let's get to the bottom of this question. At first glance, the official requirements appear to be strict [2]. In addition to the much-discussed & changed minimum period of residence, a good knowledge of German is required, a commitment to the free democratic basic order, which excludes extremist ideas and (!) surprisingly, "independent means of subsistence" [sic] is an important prerequisite for becoming German. That sounds good. So none of the new German citizens are dependent on social benefits. According to the official interpretation, they are all well-integrated skilled workers.

A final requirement for obtaining a German passport is passing the naturalization test [3]. In order to overcome this hurdle, the multiple choice questions in the test can be practiced in advance. It is therefore similar to a driving license. There, the candidate can also practice the questions asked in the theory test in advance.

Anyone can complain! I check myself. I took this naturalization test without cheating. So I did without smartphones and search engines as well as audience, telephone or fifty-fifty jokers. Just me and the test. Spoiler?

The result was devastating. I failed mercilessly. After the first ten questions, I gave up exhausted. Because I'm an honest person or because I'm stupid? Maybe both are true. And perhaps you would like to accompany me through the inner monologue I had while answering the first ten questions.

Would you have known better than me? Be honest!

Question 1

Straight to the one million euro question! How mean. I waver between 1,2 & 4. After all, all of these answers belong to the "delegitimization spectrum". This word monster appears remarkably often  in the current Constitutional Protection Report 2024 [4]. According to this report, rejection of the state is demonstrated by repeated criticism of the state, so "criticism of the state" should be the correct answer in the naturalization test. Wrong thinking! According to the test, answer 3 would have been correct. Either the test is wrong or I am. Next question.

Question 2

Once again, I don't fall for a trick question. The naturalization test wants answer a, so it gets answer a. And lo and behold: I'm right. Of course, it is unthinkable in Germany that people are publicly encouraged not to vote for the wrong party. Please vote for a party of the self-proclaimed democratic center! Such an influence would never take place. Next question.

Question 3

Well, yes. Laws can ban almost anything in pandemic and other emergencies. Then unvaccinated people are simply "out of social life", as Tobias Hans, the former Minister President of Saarland, put it. Such citizens must be treated unequally, the opinions expressed by these citizens must not be given a stage, let alone be allowed to assemble freely. So answer "petitions" according to the principle of exclusion. Wrong answer? I'm not giving up. Next question.

Question 4

Finally, the simple 100-euro question. Germany is, of course, a republic. Germany is a democratic republic. In short form? German Democratic Republic "DDR". I'm catching up. I'm currently at 50 percent correct answers. On with the test.

Question 5

I thought that point had been clarified. There is no freedom of expression. In the meantime, even people who call for the government to come to terms with corona have become a suspected case for the Office for the Protection of the Constitution [5]. On the other hand, I would like to pass the test. People paying taxes sounds good. Taxes are important to the state. People who pay taxes are certainly allowed to say something openly against the government. The answer is wrong? There is supposed to be freedom of speech after all. Next question.

Question 6

Which is Germany's coat of arms? Difficult. An eagle biting its right claw in rage, the Christ monogram, the Bundeswehr logo or the GDR coat of arms? In the medium term, the Bundeswehr logo could become Germany's coat of arms. Because my GDR answer was already correct, I'm still going for picture 4! The eagle is supposedly correct? Yes, the vulture knows or doesn't know. I didn't know. Next question.

Question 7

Basic Law is correct. Period. I have to score points to get my act together and keep my German passport. It's a good thing Emilia Fester wasn't asked whether this Basic Law dates back to 1945 or 1949. She would have failed. That comforts me. Next question.

Question 8

I don't know. I don't own a bathrobe. Next question.

Question 9

Everyone should have the same amount of money? They're not so stupid as to write a sentence like that into the Basic Law. But what? There are said to be voices from the above-mentioned delegitimization spectrum who say that the journey is heading in exactly this direction. After all, if nobody has more money, that is also a form of justice. Then everyone has the same amount of money. Next question.

Question 10

Ha! That's easy. Bread and games, i.e. entertainment! Entertainment is THE The basic right of every German. If we're going down, let's do it with the Bundesliga and jungle camp. Wrong again? This is where I give up, this is where I drop out. Only 30 percent correct answers means a failing grade. I have failed.

Would you have known better than me? Be honest!