Downward spirals in EU democracy promotion: how contestations and shrinking spaces for civil society organization limit the EU’s influence in Turkey

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are pivotal in safeguarding against autocratization, yet authoritarian governments often erode the civil and political rights necessary for CSOs to counteract democratic decline. This is exemplified in Turkey, where despite a burgeoning civil society, Europeanization efforts have been reversed, leading to increased repression of CSOs by the government. This article examines the EU adjustments in its democracy promotion tools in the face of Turkey's defiance of EU norms and suppression of CSOs. The study reveals a downward spiral of delegitimization and criminalization, rendering EU tools like shaming and funding adjustments ineffective against legal restrictions and government stigma towards foreign funding. Through a content analysis of government statements, EU country reports spanning 2013–2022 and interviews with stakeholders, the article sheds light on external civil society protection during autocratization and how internal developments counter democracy promotion efforts.