Switzerland rejects initiative to ease naturalization process

The Swiss Parliament has rejected a popular initiative aimed at easing the naturalization and citizenship process. Following a rejection by the National Council, the Council of States also voted against the proposal with 34 votes against and 9 in favor, without offering a counter-proposal.

The initiative, presented by the organization Action Quatre Quarts, sought to allow naturalization after five years of legal residency in Switzerland, regardless of the type of residence permit. Under current regulations, standard naturalization requires at least 10 years of residency, while those with a C residence permit must have spent three of the five years preceding their application in Switzerland.

Supporters argued that existing rules make the process overly complex and leave many residents without political rights. Opponents defended the current system, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the competencies of cantons and municipalities in the naturalization process. With this decision, the initiative will not proceed further in Parliament in its proposed form.