Unbecoming Swiss

LOL, Michele Bachmann is requesting that her Swiss citizenship be withdrawn - less than two months after she acquired it! Here is a compilation of reactions to what the compiler calls "a bizarre move by a bizarro politician."

In relinquishing her Swiss citizenship, Michele, of course, inevitably skews the facts. This is a tendency that others in her political party do on a regular basis and she is definitely no exception to the rule. In her announcement relinquishing Swiss nationality, she said, "Today I sent a letter to the Swiss consulate requesting withdrawal of my dual Swiss citizenship which was conferred upon me by operation of Swiss law when I married my husband in 1978." Also according to Michele, the recent news was merely because she and her husband had updated their documents.

"... which was conferred upon me by operation of Swiss law when I married my husband in 1978 ...?"

Uh ... no. And Michele, purportedly a lawyer, should know better.

First of all, while her husband Marcus may automatically have been considered Swiss at birth because he was the child of married Swiss parents, there is nothing so far to show that he ever formally applied for recognition of that status earlier than this year. He certainly never informed the Swiss consulate of his marriage in 1978. Even if his Swiss nationality had been recognized at the time of their marriage, marriage to a Swiss citizen does not automatically confer Swiss nationality. The non-Swiss spouse must formally apply for it, although the naturalization process is fast-tracked. It was easier for spouses in 1978; now there is a requirement for non-resident spouses to show that the marriage has lasted at least six years. Today, one must also make a showing of "close ties" to Switzerland.

There is intrinsically nothing wrong with dual national status. The US government recognizes it, albeit reluctantly, but dual nationality is generally considered a disadvantage for those who wish to work in sensitive positions in government and industry where perceptions of dual loyalty may arise.

Still, I was flabbergasted by Ms Bachmann's formal application in the first place, considering that she is so associated with those who love to hate Europe. While I understand that Swiss naturalization authorities were merely following the law in granting her citizenship, I wonder whether they really understood what a polarizing - and yes, bizarro - figure she is.