The Turkish community in Germany expects 50.000 applications for naturalization from residents with Turkish roots this year, as in the coming years, after Germany's reform of the citizenship law.
"I believe that in the long term, 1.5 million citizens of Turkish origin in Germany, who do not yet have German citizenship, will have dual citizenship," said Gokay Sofuoglu for the German medium RND.
His comments came a day after the Bundestag approved a reform of the citizenship law aimed at shortening the time it takes to hold a German passport and allowing residents to hold more than one citizenship.
"If the word about the new law spreads, the number of applications for naturalization will continue to increase," said Sofuoglu.
"Many people will find that the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."
However, he has said that he believes that the German authorities will find it difficult to process the applications, as they are already overwhelmed.
also
The new German law that eases the way for dual citizenship comes into force
The new legislation provides that residents of Germany can apply for citizenship after five years of living there, compared to the previous eight.
Another point foresees that people who have a German passport do not need to give up the passport of their country of birth./ REL
