The Swiss Federal Council has reduced the length of stay in the country, required for citizenship from 12 to 8 years, according to ee24.com with reference to Le Matin.
This amendment caused a serious controversy. A member of the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland (CVP) Stefan Engler noted that even under the current rules more than 4,000 foreigners become the Swiss citizens every year. MP believes that the reduction of the term will start the mass naturalization.
Supporters of the bill see the benefits in the integration of foreigners into Swiss society. The process of obtaining citizenship requires a high level of adaptation to the realities living in Switzerland, and the mere knowledge of the language is not enough.
While most of the members of the Board are trying to make the law better, opponents may require an amendment to the law on compulsory knowledge of the state language of citizenship applicants, as well as on the existence of knowledge of culture, traditions and rules of conduct in the Swiss state.