Brexit

A month to go until Brexit

February 28, 2019 By Graham Leave a Comment

With a month left to go until the United Kingdom is supposed to be leaving the European Union, I’m watching the deadline approach and wondering what will really happen.

However much I have written and discussed the topic elsewhere on the web, I’ve been quiet here since I exchanged my driving license and gained German citizenship. In some ways, that status at the end of 2016 meant security, as I knew I could remain in Germany whatever the outcome of the leaving deal (or lack of one) turned out to be. I have followed other British residents in Germany through the process, and have often answered questions about it. And I have seen others left with the uncertainty of not knowing what is going to happen, and not being able to do so much about it as they do not meet the minimum requirements to apply for citizenship.

As the deadline draws closer, I read ever more articles in the UK press about what could be the case after March 29th, or in the event of “no deal” what almost certainly will be the case. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Current affairs Tagged With: Brexit

And finally in 2016…

December 31, 2016 By Graham Leave a Comment

This year saw AllThingsGerman celebrate its 10th anniversary, albeit without much celebration.

It also saw the beginning of turbulent times for the United Kingdom. I have been interviewed by the Taunus Zeitung and the Frankfurter Rundschau about the result of the referendum, and have been writing about it myself for the Oberurseler Woche.

But I have also been working on something else… and with just two days to go in 2016 I was awarded German citizenship.

“Ich erkläre feierlich, dass ich das Grundgesetz und die Gesetze
der Bundesrepublik Deutschland achten und alles unterlassen werde, was ihr schaden könnte.”

– Happy New Year! –

Filed Under: Current affairs Tagged With: Brexit, Citizenship, Einbuergerung

First steps towards becoming German before Brexit

July 30, 2016 By Graham 2 Comments

After the initial shock of the referendum result, I have been following the developments in the UK closely. But whilst I was keeping an eye on the leadership battles in both parties, the effects on the economy, and being shocked again at the choice of the new UK foreign minister, I had already taken a decision to get myself both a German driving license and a German ID card.