EKIP– Expert Club for Economics and Politics A Different Opinion
As a continuation of the topic of the Libertarian Approach to Immigration, we publish a look at one of the most interesting citizenship systems operating in our time. The Swiss model covers a large part of the proposed reforms in the aforementioned article, with which we opened the topic in the EKIP.
1. Switzerland has two processes for obtaining citizenship. Ordinary (or regular) naturalization is the one most people go through; facilitated (or simplified) naturalization is a shorter and less complicated process, generally open to foreign spouses and children of Swiss citizens, and since the beginning of 2017 to third-generation foreigners. According to official statistics, in 2015, almost a quarter of the total 40,689 naturalizations were facilitated.
Comment: There is no direct connection here with the models we are commenting on. It is natural that there would be a somewhat easier procedure for children of Swiss citizens.
2. There is more than one set of requirements. To obtain regular naturalization, foreigners must meet requirements set by three levels of government: the commune (or municipality), the canton and the Confederation. Following changes to the federal law on foreigners that came into force on 1 January 2018, applicants must have lived in Switzerland for ten years (in the previous version of the law - 12 years) or less if they spent their adolescence in the country and have a residence permit - C.
They also have to show that they respect Swiss law and order, do not pose a threat to the country and (here it gets subjective) be well integrated, a broad requirement for participation in Swiss economic, social and linguistic life. Normally, cantons and communes must tell federal authorities how integrated they think an applicant is, although the new federal law imposes a number of obligations, including the requirement that you encourage your family members to integrate as well.
Comment: More requirements and more criteria make obtaining citizenship more difficult. The requirement to have no criminal history is logical, along with the others. Exactly according to our recommendations for reform.
3. If the applicant receives benefits, he cannot apply. Another change from 2018 does not allow those who have received social benefits in the last three years to apply for citizenship unless they return everything they received to the tax authorities.
Comment: A good requirement that we have recommended in our libertarian approach. At the same time, it would be even more sensible to deny access to welfare to non-citizens entirely.
4. Time spent in the country is an important factor. It is possible for a foreigner to have spent ten years in Switzerland, but how much in a particular place of residence is also important. Moving from one canton or commune to another changes the requirements and the counting of "lived" time. While cantons such as Geneva and Bern require only two years of residence, some require much longer, with St. Gallen requiring eight years.
Comment: The most commonly used restrictions on obtaining full political rights are related to residence in the respective country. In this case, again, we have different jurisdictions with different requirements.
It is also logical that locals would want to have time to get to know their new neighbors before including them in the general management.
5. Speaking the local language is mandatory. Good language skills have always been required for Swiss citizenship, but the requirements vary by canton. The 2018 changes introduced a minimum level of language proficiency. Applicants must demonstrate A2 level writing skills and B1 level speaking skills according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Cantons are free to set higher requirements if they wish, as Thurgau has done.
Comment: A logical requirement. If someone wants to participate in the political governance of a community, it is a normal expectation that they understand the situation around them and be able to communicate with their fellow citizens.
6. Cantonal and communal rules vary greatly. Each canton has different requirements ( look it up here ), usually focused on how integrated you are into the community you live in. Do you have Swiss friends and work colleagues who consider you part of the community? Do you know a thing or two about the area's surroundings? Do you support Swiss traditions, politics, and history?
Comment: Decentralization + assessment of candidates – again from our recommendations.
7. Locals can have a say. Most cantons and/or municipalities require applicants to attend an interview to prove their integration and knowledge of Switzerland, where they may be asked about everything from the number of lakes in the canton to which public holidays they have, to the names of local traditions and festivals. In some cases, a committee of municipal residents will meet to vote on the candidacy, so it pays to maintain good relations with the locals - last year a Dutch woman made headlines after being ostracized by her community for campaigning against cowbells (although she later won citizenship on appeal).
Comment: The local community vote is one of the recommended reforms in "A Libertarian Approach to Immigration" - why should someone receive political rights when their behavior and views contradict those of the neighbors who build the polis?
8. It takes time. The length of the process varies depending on where the applicant lives, but can be expected to take several years. The canton of Vaud, for example, currently requires up to two and a half years, but this period will be reduced to 18 months for applications after January 2018. Applicants cannot move during the process, otherwise they will have to start over.
Comment: As above, this is a verification and delay tool
9. It can be expensive. Since there are three levels of government, there are three different fees to pay. While the Confederation only requires 50-150 francs, the costs set by the cantons and communes can be much higher. Geneva's basic rate for adult applications is 1,250 francs, plus the communes then add an additional 500-1,000 francs. And all this with the chance that applicants will be rejected.
Comment: Although we have not mentioned residency fees, they are yet another additional barrier that makes access to political rights more difficult - always a plus in the context of libertarian understandings.
10. The likelihood of success may depend on where you live. According to Tages Anzeiger, western Switzerland is more generous with naturalizations than elsewhere. Official statistics show that Zurich naturalized the most people in 2015 (9,607), but it also has the largest population of 1.5 million. The canton of Geneva, with a population of nearly half a million, naturalized 6,093 people in 2015, despite having a third of Zurich's population and half of Bern's, where only 2,587 people were granted citizenship.
Comment: An important touch that we talk about when it comes to decentralization. In different places, people will have different desires and needs for accepting new fellow citizens.
Information taken from HERE
