German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned against ethno-nationalist ideology and affirmed that naturalized citizens are not second-class during a speech on Tuesday [1, 2].
The remarks come as Germany faces rising far-right rhetoric and calls for large-scale deportations ahead of a critical state election in eastern Germany [1, 2].
Speaking at the first public event held at the new official presidential residence in Berlin, Steinmeier defended the role of immigration in the country [1]. He used the platform to challenge the notion that citizenship is tied strictly to ethnic origin, a core tenet of ethno-nationalist thought.
Steinmeier said that there are no first or second-class citizens in Germany [1, 2]. He emphasized that those who have gained citizenship through naturalization hold the same status and rights as those born into it.
The president's address targets a political climate where ethno-nationalist ideas have gained traction. By framing the issue as a matter of fundamental citizenship rights, the president sought to counter narratives that suggest naturalized citizens are less integrated or less "German" than others [1, 2].
The timing of the speech is significant due to the proximity of the upcoming eastern state election [1]. The region has become a focal point for far-right movements that advocate for stricter immigration controls and the removal of non-ethnic Germans from the population [1, 2].
Steinmeier's defense of immigration and naturalization serves as a direct rebuttal to these platforms. He positioned the inclusion of immigrants as a necessity for the nation rather than a liability [1, 2].
“Naturalized citizens are not second-class.”
President Steinmeier's public stance reflects a strategic effort by the German state to delegitimize far-right narratives before a key regional election. By explicitly rejecting ethno-nationalism, the presidency is attempting to reinforce a civic definition of German identity over an ethnic one, signaling that the government views the rise of deportation rhetoric as a threat to social cohesion and constitutional values.
