IN DECEMBER 1984, when Mr Goh Chok Tong and the second generation of leaders had established themselves in Cabinet, they unveiled an agenda for Singapore that encapsulated their visions for the next 15 years.
Vision 1999 saw Singapore becoming a “city of excellence” and a “society of distinction” by the turn of the century. It set one hard-numbers target, with which it became most closely associated: to achieve the 1984 Swiss standard of living, as measured by per capita output, by 1999.
Maybe they should set Swiss Standards of Citizenship Applications instead !!!
People who have been resident in Switzerland for twelve years – the years spent in this country between the completed 10th and 20th years are counted double for this purpose – may apply for naturalisation. Our office examines whether applicants are integrated in the Swiss way of life, are familiar with Swiss customs and traditions, comply with the Swiss rule of law, and do not endanger Switzerland's internal or external security. In particular, this examination is based on cantonal and communal reports. If the requirements provided by federal law are satisfied, applicants are entitled to obtain a federal naturalisation permit from the Federal Office for Migration. (minimum number of years is 12 years!)
Naturalisation proceeds in three stages. Thus the federal naturalisation permit only constitutes the Confederation's "green light" for the acquisition of Swiss nationality. However, the cantons and communities have their own, additional residence requirements which applicants have to satisfy. Swiss citizenship is only acquired by those applicants who, after obtaining the federal naturalisation permit, have also been naturalised by their communities and cantons. As a rule, there is no legally protected right to being naturalised by a community and a canton. (Which means that the locals must approve and support the candidate to be a citizen)
