La fraternité européenne? The extent of national competence to condition the acquisition and loss of nationality from the perspective of EU citizenship

European Law Review

Volumn 35, Issue 3, 2010, Pages 401-414

  Konstadinides, Theodore ^a  

^a UNIVERSITY OF SURREY   (United Kingdom)

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

EID: 79751505297     PISSN: 03075400     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Review

References (162)

1. See G.-R. De Groot, "The Nationality Legislation of the Member States of the European Union" in M. La Torre, European Citizenship: An Institutional Challenge (The Hague: Kiuwer Law International, 1998), pp. 15-147.
2. the European Convention on Nationality (ETS No.166) art.7.
3. Rottmann v Freistaat Bayern (C-I 3 5/08) 2010.
4. Baumbast v Secretary of State for the Home Department (C-4 13/99) [2002]E.C.R. 1-7091.
5. [2002]3 C.M.L.R. 23 at [82].
6. S. O'Leary, The Evolving Concept of Community Citizenship (The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 1996), Ch. I.
7. P. Weis, Nationality and Statelessness in International Law (The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 1979).
8. Hague Convention on Certain Questions Relating to the Conflict of Nationality Laws (1930) 179 LNTS 89.
9. European Convention on Nationality (ETS No.166) art.3.
10. Micheletti v Delegacion del Gobierno en Caniabria (C-369190) [1992]E.C.R. 1-4239.
11. Micheletti(C-369/90) [1992] E.C.R. 1-4239 at [10]
12. R. v Secretary of Statefor the Home Department Exp. Kaur (C-i 92/99) [2002] E.C.R. 1-1237
13. [2001] C.M.L.R. 24 at [19].
14. Chen v Secretary of State for the Home Department (C-200/02) [2004] E.C.R. 1-9925
15. [2004] 3 C.M.L.R. 48 at [37]
16. Directive 2004/38 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States [2004] OJ L 158/77.
17. For early calls for refomi to this effect, see the Report of the Committee on Institutional Affairs of the European Parliament on Union Citizenship DOC A3-0300/9 1, PE 153.099/final.
18. See Edinburgh European Council, Conclusions of the Presidency, December 11-12, 1992. Annexe Ito Decisions of the Heads of States and Government, Meeting within the European Council, Concerning Certain Problems Raised by Demnark on the Treaty on European Union provides that: "The Provisions of Part Two of the Treaty establishing the European Community relating to citizenship of the Union give nationals of the Member States additional rights.and protection as specified in that Part. They do not in any way take the place of national citizenship.
19. See also. D. Curtin and R. van Ooik, "Denmark and the Edinburgh Summit: Maastricht without Tears" in D. O'Keeffe and P.M. Twomey, Legal issues of the Maastricht Treaty (London: Wiley Chancery Law, 1994).
20. The Danish unilateral Declaration on Citizenship of the Union appended to the Treaty of Maastricht highlighted that: "Nothing in the Treaty on European Union implies or foresees an undertaking to create a citizenship of the Union in the sense of citizenship of a nation State.
21. E. Horvath, Citizenship, Kinship Laws and Plural Nationality in the European Union (The Hague: Kluwer, 2008), p.12
22. A. Schrauwen, "The Future of EU Citizenship: Corrosion of National Citizenship?" (April 9, 2009), available at http://ssrn.co,n/abstract= 1375413 [ March 31, 2010], p.
23. This does not imply that EU citizens do not enjoy "non- movement" rights.
24. See, for instance, art.22 TFEU on the right to vote and stand as a candidate at municipal and European Parliament elections in all Member States.
25. art.23 TFEU on access to diplomatic and consular protection in the territory of a third country;
26. art.24 TFEU on the European citizens' initiative, the right to petition the European Parliament, and the right to complain to the European Ombudsman.
27. See on the scope of EU law and national military service, Sirdar v Secretary of State for Defence (C-273/97) [1999]E.C.R. 1-7403;
28. [1999] 3 C.M.L.R. 559.
29. Kreil v Germany (C-285/98) [2000] E.C.R. 1-69.
30. [2002] 1 C.M.L.R. 36.
31. Dory v Germany (C-186101) [2003] E.C.R. 1-2508;
32. [2003] 2 C.M.L.R. 26.
33. See on identity J. Habermas, "Citizenship and National Identity: Some Reflections on the Future of Europe" in R. Beiner, Theorising Citizenship (New York: State University of New York Press, 1995), pp.255-281.
34. R. Bauböck and E. Ersboll, Acquisition and Loss of Nationality: Policies and Trends in 15 European States (Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2006), p. 1.
35. Baumbast (C-4 13/99) [2002] E.C.R. 1-7091;
36. Carpenter v Secretary of State for the Home Department (C-60/00) [2002] E.C.R. 1-6279;
37. [2002] 2 C.M.L.R. 64.
38. Mouvement contre le Racisme, 1 'Antisemitisme et la Xenophobie ASBL (MRAX) v Belgium (C-459/99) [2002] E.C.R. 1-6591;
39. [2002] 3 C.M.L.R. 25;
40. D 'Hoop v Office National de I 'Emploi (C-224/98) [2002] E.C.R. 1-6191.
41. [2002] 3 C.M.L.R. 12.
42. Pusa v Osuuspankkien Keskinainen Vakuutusyhiio (C-224/02) [2004] E.C.R. 1-5 763.
43. [2004] 2 C.M.L.R. 23.
44. Tas Hagen v Raadskamer WUBO van de Pensioen- en Uitkeringsraad (C-192/05) [2006] E.C.R. 1-10451;
45. [2007] 1 C.M.L.R. 23.
46. Schwarz(C-321/07) [2007] E.C.R. 1-684945.
47. Morgan v Bezirksregierung Koin (C-l 1/06 & C-12/06) [2007] E.C.R. 1-9161;
48. [2009] 1 C.M.L.R. I.
49. Metock v Ministerfor Justice, Equality and Law Reform (C-127/08) [2008] E.C.R. 1-6241;
50. [2008] 3 C.M.L.R. 39.
51. Harrow LBCvlbrahim (C-310/08) February 26, 2010.
52. Teixeira (C-480/08) 2010.
53. See M. Dougan, "Expanding the Frontiers of European Union Citizenship by Dismantling the Territorial Boundaries of the National Welfare States?" in C. Barnard and O. Odudu, The Outer Limits of European Union Law (Oxford: Hart Publishing, 2009);
54. T. Konstadinides, "Citizenship within the Scope Ratione Materiae of Community Law: The Current Approach of the Court of Justice" (2009) 4 European Current Law X1-XV.
55. Leo v Land Berlin (C-308/89) [1990] E.C.R. 1-4185 at [14]-[15].
56. Meeusen v Hoofddirectie van de Informatie Beheer Groep (C-337/97) [1999]E.C.R. 1-3289;
57. [2000]2 C.M.L.R. 659 at [25].
58. Commission v Austria (C-147/03) [2005]E.C.R. 1-5969;
59. [2006]3 C.M.L.R. 39 at [31]-[35]
60. Schwarz v Finanzamt Be Gladbach (C-76/05) [2007] E.C.R. 1-6849;
61. [2007] 3 C.M.L.R. 47at [70]
62. Schempp v Finanzamt Munchen V(C-403/03) [2005] E.C.R. 1-6421;
63. [2005]3 C.M.L.R. 37.
64. (C-520/04) [2006]E.C.R. 1-10685;
65. [2007]1 C.M.L.R. 28.
66. See also Schempp (C-403/03) [2005]E.C.R. 1-6421 at [19]
67. Grunkin v Grunkin-Paul(C-353/06) [2008]E.C.R. 1-7639;
68. [2009]1 C.M.L.R. 10 at [16]
69. Garcia Avello v Belgium (C-l48/02) [2003]E.C.R. 1-11613.
70. [2004]1 C.M.L.R. I at [25]
71. Criminal Proceedings against Bickel and Franz (C-274/96) [1998]E.C.R. 1-763 7;
72. [1999] C.M.L.R. 348 at [17]
73. Vatsouras v Arbeiisgemeinschaft (ARGE) Ntirnberg 900 (C-22/08 & C-23/08) June 4, 2009.
74. According to A.G. Colomer in Vatsouras (C-22/08 & C-23/08) June 4, 2009 at [45]
75. Article 24(2) covers two distinct legal situations. The first situation is that of persons seeking maintenance aid, such as student grants or student loans - in other words, students exercising their right to free movement. The second situation is that of persons who settle in the territory of a Member State for three months or for such time as they need in order actively to seek work. The former are entitled to claim assistance of that kind only after they have acquired the right of permanent residence, which Directive 2004/38 confers after five years. The latter are granted 'social assistance' when they find work.
76. Collins v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (C-138/02) [2004] E.C.R. 1-2703;
77. [2004] 2 C.M.L.R. 8 on the right ofjob-seekers to claim social security benefits under Regulation 1612/68 on freedom of movement for workers within the Community [1968] OJ L257/2.
78. In Förster v Hoofddirectie van de Informatie Beheer Groep (C-158/07) [2008] E.C.R. 1-8507;
79. [2009] I C.M.L.R. 32, the Court held that the restriction imposed by Directive 2004/38 on students was compatible with former arts 12 and 18 EC (now arts 18 and 21 TFEU).
80. Ibrahim (C-310/08) February 26, 2010.
81. Teixeira(C-480/08)2010.
82. Cowan v Tresor Public (186/87) [1989] E.C.R. 195;
83. [1990] C.M.L.R. 613.
84. Rottmann (C-135108) 2010. It is worth mentioning that both the term "Community" and the old Treaty numbering are relevant here since the Court received the German court's preliminary ruling on April 3, 2008, which is before the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force on December 1, 2009.
85. Nach 27 Abs. 1 des StaatsbUrgerschaftsgesetzes.
86. Article 48(1) of the Code of administrative procedure of the Land of Bavaria (Bayerisches Verwaltungsverfahrensgesetz). As mentioned at [ of Rottmann (C- 135/08)2010, the withdrawal of Dr Rottmann's naturalisation obtained in Germany was not definitive at the time when the case was referred to the Court of Justice.
87. Judgment of the Court in Rottmann (C-135/08) 2010 at [35]
88. Opinion of A.G. Maduro in Roumann (C-l35/08) September 30, 2009 at [17]
89. [37] of the Court's judgment in Rotlmann (C-135/08) 2010.
90. See Land Nordrhein-Westfalen v Uecker and Jacquet (C-64/96 & C-65/96) [1997] E.C.R. 1-3171;
91. [1997] 3 C.M.L.R. 963 at [23]
92. Garcia Avello (C-l48/02) [2003] E.C.R. 1-11613 at [26]
93. Metock (C-127/08) [2008] E.C.R. 1-6241.
94. Opinion of A.G. Maduro in Roltmann (C-135/08) September 30, 2009 at [11]
95. Judgment of the Court in Rotimann (C-l35/08) 2010 at [42]
96. Opinion of A.G. Maduro in Roirmann (C-l35/08) September 30, 2009 at [13]
97. Kaur (C-192/99) [2001] E.C.R. 1-1237;
98. see also [19] of the Advocate General's Opinion in Roltmann (C- 135/08) September 30, 2009.
99. Nottebohm (Liechtenstein v Guatemala) 1955 I.C.J. 4;
100. Opinion of A.G. Maduro in Rottmann (C-135/08) September 30, 2009 at [18]-[19]
101. See T.A. Aleinikoff and D.B. Klusmeyer, Citizenship Today: Global Perspectives and Practices (Brooking Institution Press, 2001), pp.75-76.
102. See also Opinion of A.G. Maduro in Rottmann (C-135/08) September 30, 2009 at [20]
103. See Marks & Spencer Plc v Halsey (Inspector of Taxes) (C-446/03) [2005]E.C.R. 1-10837;
104. [2006]1 C.M.L.R. 18.
105. Garcia Avello (C-148/02) [2003] E.C.R. 1-11613;
106. Tas Hagen (C-192/05) [2006] E.C.R. 1-10451.
107. Opinion of A.G. Maduro in Roitmann (C-l35/08) September 30, 2009 at [21]-[23]
108. Opinion of A.G. Maduro in Rottmann (C-135/08) September 30, 2009 at [27]
109. Opinion of A.G. Maduro in Roltmann (C-135/08) September 30, 2009 at [31]
110. Bickel and Franz (C-274/96) [1998] E.C.R. 1-7637 at [17]
111. Spain v United Kingdom (C-145/04) [2006] E.C.R. 1-7917;
112. [2007] 1 C.M.L.R. 3 at [78] and [94]
113. See judgment of the Court in Rottmann (C-135/08) 2010 at [41]
114. Judgment of the Court in Roltmann (C-135/08) 2010 at [45] [47] [48].
115. Judgment of the Court in Roltmann (C-135/08) 2010 at [43], [45], [47], [50].
116. Judgment of the Court in Rotzmann (C-l35/08) 2010 at [48], [51].
117. Judgment of the Court in Rottmann (C-l35/08) 2010 at [55]
118. See also [50]-[55]
119. Judgment of the Court in Rollmann (C- 135/08)2010 at [61]
120. See also Moser vLandBaden- Wurttemburg (180/83) [1984] E.C.R. 2539.
121. [1984] 3 C.M.L.R. 720;
122. Graf v Filzmoser Maschinenbau GmbH(C-190/98) [2000] E.C.R. 1-493;
123. [2000] 1 C.M.L.R. 741.
124. A. Walmsley, "Nationality Issues and the Denial of Residence in the Context of the Fight against Terrorism - Feasibility Study" (2006) CDCJ-BU 22 (Strasbourg: Bureau of the European Committee on Legal Co-operation, December 5, 2006).
125. Opinion of A.G. Maduro in Rottmann (C-135/08) September 30, 2009 at [25]
126. S.C. Sieberson, Dividing Lines Between the European Union and its Member States: The Impact of the Treaty of Lisbon (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008), p.93
127. See also W. Van Gerven, The European Union: A Polity of States and Peoples (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2005), p.38
128. See most recently Kadi v Council (C-402/05 P & C-4 15/05 P) [2008] E.C.R. 1-6351;
129. [2008] 3 C.M.L.R. 41.
130. See also A. Rosas, "The European Court of Justice and Public International Organisations and Other Techniques for Ensuring Resoect for International Legal Rules in European Community Law" in J. Wouters, A Nollkaemper and E. De Wet (eds), The European isation of International law: The Status of International Law in the EU and its Member States (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008).
131. Concern to avoid statelessness has led states, via the adoption of a package of international measures, to restrain their power over arbitrary deprivation of nationality. Guild notes that the two World Wars and the collapse of the Soviet Union prompted the international community to develop, under the auspices of the United Nations, standards in the area of nationality, including mechanisms to identify stateless persons.
132. See E. Guild, The Legal Elements of European Identity: EU Citizenship and Migration Law (The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2004), Ch.2.
133. UN Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (1961) art.8(2)(b).
134. European Convention on Nationality (1997) art.7(l)(b).
135. Opinion of A.G. Maduro in Rottmann (C-135/08) September 30, 2009 at [29]
136. See B. de Witte, "International Law as a Tool for the European Union" (2009) 5 European Constitutional Law Review 265, 266.
137. Other cases in Germany involving withdrawal of citizenship on the ground of malicious fraud have taken place with regard to a Nigerian national (judgment May 24, 2006, 2 BvR 669/04) and a Moroccan national (judgment August 20, 2008, 5 E 840/02).
138. United States v Fedorenkolol S. Ct. 737 (1981).
139. See also United States v Demjanjuk 25 S. Ct. 429 (2004).
140. Chen (C-200/02) [2004] E.C.R. 1-9925 at [36]-[41]
141. Chen (C-200/02) [2004] E.C.R. 1-9925 at [37]-[38]
142. Judgment of the Court in Rottmann (C-135/08) 2010 at [62]
143. D. Kochenov, "A Glance at Nationality/EU citizenship interaction [Using the Requirement To renounce Nationality in the community upon Naturalizing Member State of residence as a Pretext]" speech at the 11th biennial EUSA Conference (Los Angeles, CA, April 2009), p.2, available at http://www.unc.edu/euce/eusa2009/papers/kochenov-05E.pdf [ March 16, 2010].
144. Kochenov "A Glance at Nationality" speech at the 11th biennial EUSA Conference, 2009, p.3
145. See Directive 2004/83 on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third country nationals or stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection and the content of the protection granted [ OJ L304/12.
146. See also Freeman, "Immigrant Incorporation in Western Democracies" in A. Portes and J De Wind, Rethinking Migration: New Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives (Oxford: Berghahn Books, 2007), p. 30.
147. See also S. O'Leary, European Union Citizenship: The Optionsfor Reform (Institute of Public Policy Research, 1996).
148. Andrei Karassev and Family v Finland (31414/96) January 12, 1999.
149. A. Grossman, "Nationality and the Unrecognised State" (2001) 50 International & Comparative Law Quarterly 849,889.
150. See also G. Noll and J. Vedsted-Hansen, "Non-Communitarians: Refugee and Asylum Policies" in P. Alston (ed.), The EU and Human Rights (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999), pp.359-411.
151. C. Thiele, "Citizenship as a Requirement for Minorities" (2005) E.H.R.L.R. 277, 284.
152. J. Dedic, Roma and Statelessness (Brussels: European Parliament, Committee on Civil Liberties Justice and Home Affairs, June 26, 2007), available at http://www.europarl.europa.eulhearings/20070626/libe/dedic-pdf [ March 31, 2010].
153. See G. Guliyeva, "Lost in Transition: Russian-Speaking Non-Citizens and the Protection of Minority Rights in the European Union" (2008)33 E.L. Rev. 843, 850.
154. See also P. van Elsuwege, From Soviet Republics to EU Member States (Brill Publishers, 2008).
155. C. Thiele, "Citizenship as a Requirement for Minorities" (2005) E.H.R.L.R. 277, 284
156. See the Bindi Report on European Citizenship for the European Parliament's Institutional Affairs Committee DOC A3-0300/91.
157. D. Kostakopoulou, The Future Governance of Citizenship (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008), p.44.
158. See also R. Baubock et al., "Migrant's Citizenship: Legal Status, Rights and Political Participation" in R. Penninx, M. Berger and K. Kraal (eds), The Dynamics of International Migration and Settlement in Europe: A State ofArt (Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press, 2006).
159. J.H.H. Weiler, "Does Europe Need a Constitution? Demos, Telos and the German Maastricht decision" (1995)1 Eumpean Law Journal 219, 224-231.
160. J. Snell, "European Constitutional Settlement', An Ever Closer Union, and the Treaty of Lisbon: Democracy or Relevance" (2008)33 E.L. Rev. 619, 620.
161. Judgement of the Court in Rottmann (C-135/08) 2010 at [34]
162. G. Agamben, Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 1998).