I follow with interest the “initiatives” the parties are putting forward on citizenship. To tell the truth, the debates about citizenship that are continuing, albeit feebly, in our country at the moment seem very funny to me…
On the other hand, they also make me think!
First, I should point out that while citizenship was being hotly debated in our country, I stayed out of the issue in particular. I waited; I waited for politicians to make a statement about the solution I’m going to discuss! Unfortunately, I couldn’t see any politician put forward an initiative or develop a policy in this direction…
The statements made by both the parties in government and the opposition parties about citizenship as elections approach actually mean this: We don’t want to give up this argument and political investment.
Let’s describe the situation in our country more clearly: Let’s imagine that there are two parties in our country, and that one is called the “A Party” and the other the “B Party.”
Let the A Party advocate a policy of denying citizenship and say: —We granted citizenship to so few people during our time in office!
And let the B Party advocate a citizenship policy and say: —If we come to power, we’ll grant citizenship to a great many people.
Let’s complicate the issue further and add accusations: Let the A Party accuse the B Party and say: —So many people were granted citizenship during your time in office; you made criminals, them, and those others citizens.
And let the B Party reply:
—Actually, you made those people, those others, and them citizens too. Disclose the real figures…
Ultimately, the A Party, which wants to profit from these debates, is really telling voters: “Heeey, citizen, we don’t grant citizenship to just anyone who comes along. We scrutinize every case closely. If you’re worried about citizenship being granted too freely, vote for us!”
The B Party, which wants to profit from the same situation, is really telling voters: “Heeey, citizen, we’ll make your spouse, friends, and loved ones citizens. If you want your spouse and friends to become citizens, vote for me!”
As a result, although there seems to be a serious gulf between the citizenship policies of the A Party and the B Party, neither hesitates to use the political argument I mentioned above!
That being the case, the question is:
“Who is harmed by this political argument?”
When the A Party is in power, people who truly deserve citizenship cannot become citizens!
When the B Party is in power, people who deserve it—and those who don’t—become citizens!
Both are problematic!
But are politicians unaware of this problematic situation?
Of course they’re aware; at the very least, I think the figures they give and the accusations they trade while the issue is being debated should make this “awareness” clear…
So, what’s the way out?
The way out is clear; the question “What do other countries do about this?” actually points to it.
After looking at a study on this subject, let me say this much: Citizenship policies in other countries are clear!
In other words, it makes no difference whether the A Party or the B Party comes to power! People living in those countries who are not citizens know how they can become citizens. This issue has been taken out of the realm of politics.
Meanwhile, I’d like to ask those who say, “We have criteria too; we have laws in this area too”: In that case, why is there a political debate about this lack of citizenship?
Until the day our politicians think about society’s interests rather than their own political gains, I hope our paths will cross again…
Pay attention to your surroundings, keep them clean, and please be respectful in traffic!