Calls to end to dual nationality following Turkish referendum
A CD&V member of parliament has suggested that non-EU citizens be stripped of the right to double nationality following the overwhelming vote in favour of Turkey’s referendum by voters living in Belgium
75% vote “yes”
Turkish voters living in Belgium voted 75% in favour of the constitutional referendum, the largest percentage of “yes” votes in the world outside of Jordan and Lebanon. In Brussels, almost 70% voted “yes”, while in Antwerp the number was nearly 80%.
Double nationality has long been an issue raised by Open VLD and N-VA, with a debate launched in parliament just weeks ago by two N-VA members. The party’s Theo Francken, also the federal secretary of migration, tweeted that Bogaert’s suggestion was “a good idea”.
Bogaert is not representing party policy, said CD&V president Wouter Beke. While it is “logical”, said Beke, for a person to have only one nationality, “the choice of a new nationality is a positive choice. It is a sign of integration and of attachment to a country, to a place where you want to build a new life and take part in society.”
On the other hand, he said, there are practical concerns. Some countries, such as Mexico, Morocco and Argentina, do not allow their citizens to renounce their nationality, which would block them from ever becoming Belgian citizens. And there would be the question of Belgians living abroad who have double nationality.
Photo: An Antwerp woman votes in the constitutional referendum, which replaces Turkey’s parliamentary system to a presidential system
©Anadolu/BELGA
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