Denmark's Citizenship Process Paused as Working Group Eyes Value Tests

Denmark's government expects a working group to finalize its report on potentially testing foreigners' values before granting them Danish citizenship around the end of the year. New Immigration and Integration Minister Morten Bødskov stated that the working group's continuation is crucial to ensure that those seeking citizenship have "earned it" and meet the required standards. However, Bødskov has not yet revealed his personal stance on implementing such value tests.

The process for awarding citizenship is currently on hold, affecting about 14,300 applicants. This pause stems from the withdrawal of the Conservative and Liberal Alliance parties from the 2021 citizenship agreement, which forms the basis for granting nationality. The government's intention to continue the working group was reportedly met with some doubt, as it was not explicitly mentioned in the new government's platform.

While the previous minister, Rasmus Stoklund, had expressed openness to value testing, Bødskov is awaiting the working group's findings before making any decisions. He indicated that a new citizenship agreement would be needed once the group's work is presented. Bødskov aims to engage in "calm and thorough discussions" with parliamentary parties to reach a new consensus, though he acknowledged that the government's support parties, like the Red-Green Alliance, wish to dissolve the working group immediately. Bødskov emphasized that the government's immigration policy is developed with the broader parliament, not solely with specific support parties.

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Arbejdsgruppen fortsætter, fordi det er vigtigt, at vi har sikkerhed for, at dem, der får statsborgerskab, de gør sig fortjent til det, at de lever op til de krav, der er til statsborgerskab.