Denmark Wants to Introduce Screening for Citizenship Candidates to Identify Anti-Democratic Attitude

The Danish government is looking into introducing a new screening process for candidates to obtain Danish citizenship. This possibility of this process is under investigation and targets candidates with anti-democratic attitudes.

According to a press release issued by the Danish Immigration and Integration Ministry, an expert committee will be established to investigate the possibility of screening citizenship candidates for anti-democratic attitudes, which could include checking candidates’ social media, Schengen.News reports. 

The Danish government believes that individuals who want to become Danish citizens should share the same democratic values. An example of citizenship candidates with an ‘anti-democratic attitude’ would be the case of a Ukrainian man refusing to sing the Austrian hymn during the citizenship ceremony who lost his Austrian citizenship. 

This case prompted reactions from Austrian officials, who pointed out that refusing to identify with Austria shows that the applicant is not willing to accept the basic principles of our country. 

Muslims’ Attitude “Unacceptable,” Danish Immigration Minister Says 
Kaare Dybvad Bek, the Minister for Immigration and Integration, who has been looking into the possibility of introducing such measures for citizenship applicants, has stated that the attitude of a minority of Muslims living in Denmark is “completely unacceptable.”

The Minister pointed out that it is crucial for the government to examine the law, technology, practice, and economics properly in the matter of organising these screenings, highlighting the importance of such a measure.

Some of the conditions that this committee must fulfill include the fact that any screening has to be organised so that only Denmark’s parliament can grant citizenship without the interference of other authorities like government offices or courts. 

In addition, the experts’ committee has to ensure that all citizenship advice or suggestions are based on the Constitution and Denmark’s international agreements. 

Candidates for Danish Citizenship Should Support “Fundamental Values & Democracy” 
The initiative to tighten rules for Danish citizenship applicants was proposed by the LA’s political leader, Alex Vanoplasgh, who pointed out that naturalised Danish citizens have to live up to the right values and share fundamental values with the Danish Constitution.

This means that candidates with controversial beliefs, including here anti-Semitics and homophobes, could have problems obtaining Danish citizenship. Other EU countries, such as Sweden, the Netherlands, and Estonia, have tightened or plan to introduce tighter restrictions for citizenship candidates, while in Germany, six federal states are pushing for similar measures.

Source: https://schengen.news/denmark-wants-to-introduce-screening-for-citizenship-candidates-to-identify-anti-democratic-attitudes/