ND refers to gov't 'insistence' on granting citizenship to migrants

    Main opposition New Democracy (ND) party on Tuesday reiterated its disagreements with a high-profile government draft law extending citizenship to eligible second generation children of migrants.

    ND migration policy secretary Theodoros Soldatos, a former MP, cited conclusions of a recent study (2010) -- conducted by the Athens University philosophy, education and psychology -- showing that approximately 50 percent of young second-generation migrants, responding to a relevant survey, considered themselves Greek, while approximately six in 10 young first-generation migrants said they considered themselves as nationals of their parents' country of origin.

    Consequently, the questioned the government's rationale behind granting Greek citizenship at birth, while at the same time rejecting ND's proposal for granting eligible individuals citizenship upon reaching adulthood and assuming they submit a request.

    "ND wants immigrants that choose to take root in our country; to assimilate into our society; to feel as Greeks and to become Greek citizens through our education and culture. We do not want them to simply 'get their papers' with summary procedures and prouduce a new 'ghetto' ... We can the assimilation of foreigners in order to combat xenophobia and racism. We do not what 'ghettos' that nourish and produce racism," Soldatos stressed.

    He also focused on what he called the government's insistence to grant citizenship under "extremely elastic conditions".