The German government's plans to make it easier for immigrants to naturalize have been divided among Germans, according to a poll released Thursday.
Nearly half of the respondents (49%) said the plans represented a step in the right direction, while another group opposed the plan (45%).
This came in a survey conducted by "Infratest Dimap" for the German "ARD" media network.
A draft law put forward by the Interior Ministry would allow people who have lived in Germany for several years to become citizens in an easier way.
Under the draft law, citizenship will be granted after five years of residency in Germany, instead of the eight-year residency requirement currently in force.
The process can be accelerated so that three years' residency is sufficient in the case of "special integration achievements", if immigrants have special academic or professional achievements or voluntary commitment, or have very good language skills.
The legislation also allows citizens to hold dual citizenship.
The government coalition, which includes the Social Democratic Party, the Green Party and the Free Democratic Party, defended its plans to amend the citizenship law after receiving criticism from opposition parties.