In March 2000, Bavaria became the first federal state to introduce a written German proficiency examination for foreigners applying for German citizenship. Bavarian Interior Minister Günther Beckstein (CSU) explained that the measure was not an attempt to limit the number of naturalizations. Rather, the exam was supposedly introduced because adequate knowledge of German is a key requirement for integration. Applicants for naturalization who can present evidence of adequate German language skills in the form of a certificate [Zeugnis] are exempt from the exam. In this photo, Bavarian Interior Minister Günther Beckstein (CSU) displays a copy of the exam as well as a booklet entitled “New Regulations in the Area of Citizenship Law.”