# Debate Over Austrian Citizenship Laws on ZIB2

October 29, 2026 at 07:55 PM

> Director Olga Kosanovic and ÖVP's Markus Gstöttner clashed over naturalization rules after Kosanovic's citizenship application was denied.

Film director **Olga Kosanovic** and **ÖVP** General Secretary **Markus Gstöttner** debated **Austrian** citizenship requirements on the ORF program **ZIB2** Wednesday evening. Kosanovic, who was born in Austria, recently had her application for national citizenship rejected.

Gstöttner defended the current laws, calling citizenship the highest good the Republic can award. He emphasized that applicants must be integrated, speak German, be financially independent, and have no criminal record to qualify for the naturalization.

Kosanovic criticized the bureaucracy and exclusion of native-born residents from political rights, citing studies that link birthright citizenship to better integration. The ÖVP maintains that existing rules are transparent and rejects easing requirements.


[#Austria](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/austria>) [#Citizenship](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/citizenship>) #ZIB2 [#ÖVP](<https://austriareport.com/hashtag/%C3%B6vp>) #Naturalization

## Related news

## [Expert Urges Faster Citizenship for Born-in-Austria Children](<https://austriareport.com/article/expert-urges-faster-citizenship-for-born-in-austria-children-51ef01c3>)

October 29, 2026 at 01:53 PM

## [ÖVP Rejects Easier Access to Austrian Citizenship](<https://austriareport.com/article/ovp-rejects-easier-access-to-austrian-citizenship-24c6d005>)

October 22, 2026 at 07:16 PM

## [Campaign Launches for Birthright Citizenship](<https://austriareport.com/article/campaign-launches-for-birthright-citizenship-ef1c4bf0>)

October 20, 2026 at 03:24 PM

## [Sebastian Kurz Rules Out Return to Politics](<https://austriareport.com/article/sebastian-kurz-rules-out-return-to-politics-8af930ee>)

October 15, 2026 at 04:40 PM

## [Austria Sees 6% Rise in Community Service Sign-ups](<https://austriareport.com/article/austria-sees-6-rise-in-community-service-sign-ups-cc33d47d>)

October 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM