Dual Citizenship in Opole, Silesia in the Context of European Integration
Dual Citizenship in Opole, Silesia in the Context of European Integration

Summary/Abstract: In Poland’s region of Opole Silesia, ethnic Germans constitute one-third of the populace. Most of them (re-)acquired German citizenship in the 1990s. This also meant obtaining EU citizenship. Thus, they form the largest compact group of German/EU citizens residing outside Germany/the EU. Should Poland join the EU with too long a derogation period on the free movement of its citizens throughout the Union, it would create EU citizenship of two classes in Opole Silesia. With the full set of privileges for German citizens and a restricted one for Polish citizens. I argue that it may lead to resurfacing of the nationalist tension with widespread international repercussions.

• Details
• Contents