Germany ends fast-track citizenship as mood on migration shifts

Friedrich Merz's conservatives had pledged to rescind legislation, which allowed citizenship in three years instead of five

Germany's parliament has rescinded a fast-track citizenship programme, reflecting the rapidly shifting mood on migration in Europe's labour-hungry economic powerhouse.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservatives pledged in this year's election campaign to rescind the legislation, which let people deemed exceptionally well integrated" gain citizenship in three years instead of five.