Danish citizenship event highlights delay for 2,055 applicants in limbo

Denmark recently held a citizenship celebration at parliament for new citizens. However, over two thousand applicants remain in limbo due to paused legislation. The Local reported on the event and the ongoing delays.

Jordi Fakiani attended the festive event on September 6th. He moved to Denmark from China in 2014. He became a Danish citizen last year after a handshake ceremony. Between two and three thousand people attended the parliament event. Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen and other politicians joined the celebration.

Still, Fakiani called the day bittersweet for many applicants. Around 2,055 applicants were listed on a January citizenship bill. Parliament paused the bill when an election was called in February. Those applicants were expecting a final vote in March. They are still waiting for their process to move forward.

Fakiani said freezing applications is unfair for people who followed rules. He hopes parliament will resolve the issue for waiting applicants soon.