Michele Bachmann Withdraws Her Swiss Citizenship
On Thursday Michele Bachmann announced that she would be withdrawing her dual Swiss citizenship. In a statment she said:
The below article was published when Bachmann's citizenship was first announced:
It was just announced that Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann applied for and was granted Swiss citizenship. The statement released from her office stated her family voluntarily did this based on the desire of some of her children. She was eligible because her husband is of Swiss descent.
Holding dual citizenship does not prevent her from servicing in Congress. It does prevent her from being president.
But what about loyalty? As a dual American / Swiss citizen, she is required to follow the laws of Switzerland as well as the United States. She is eligible to run for political office in Switzerland. A question could even be raised that she has put her American citizenship in jeopardy. She voluntarily, of her own free will requested Swiss citizenship. Did she do this with the intent of giving up her U.S. citizenship?
How will Congresswoman Bachmann make foreign policy decisions? How will her legal obligation to follow Swiss law impact on her voting on financial issues involving Swiss banks? What will happen if some of her children want to become citizens of another country where there are legal grounds?
Of course, it is up to her constituents, but I would hope they will question her loyalty and ask her to resign.
What is your opinion?