The coalition led by Olaf Scholz has put societal reforms at the top of its agenda. After approving the cannabis bill in mid-August, the Berlin government gave the green light on Wednesday, August 23, to two further symbolic bills: one making it easier for transgender people to change their identity and, another that will overhaul legislation on nationality, making it easier to become a German citizen. The draft bills, which are due to be debated and voted on in parliament, could still be subject to amendments.

These proposed reforms should enable the coalition to get back on track with its progressive policies. These three liberal-minded projects were core to the coalition agreement that came under the heading "Dare more progress," and were announced by the Social Democratic Party, the Greens and the FDP liberals when they formed their government in December 2021. Postponed because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the government is now making these reforms a priority in a bid to dispel the incessant quarrels between the three parties on budgetary, energy and defense issues, which have been disastrous for the government's credibility. It is also a way of attacking head-on the Christian Democratic opposition and, above all, the far-right AfD party, which are largely opposed to these changes.

Legislation on nationality will undoubtedly see the most heated debate this fall. Under the bill, foreign nationals will be able to apply for German citizenship in just five years – rather than the current eight – after their arrival in Germany and possibly in even three years under an accelerated procedure. Foreigners who have a good command of German, a sought-after professional skill, or those who have demonstrated exceptional voluntary service to the country will be eligible for this three-year "turbo naturalization." Applicants for naturalization must be self-supporting and have no history of racism or anti-Semitism. Above all, foreign nationals from outside the European Union will no longer be required to renounce their original nationality if they wish to become German.

The main aim of this reform is to make Germany attractive to skilled workers from abroad, of which the country is in dire need. To offset the older generation retiring, 400,000 net new arrivals are needed each year. According to figures from the German Labor Market and Vocational Training Research Institute, 1.7 million job positions are currently vacant, which is hampering growth. Staff shortages are particularly acute in the IT, healthcare and education sectors. Germany is competing for the best profiles with the US, Canada and New Zealand, which have long offered attractive conditions for foreign workers.

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