The Emergence and Aftermath of Proactive Transnational Politics in Turkey: A Case Study on Ethnoreligious Communities in Germany

In recent years, the social integration of migrants in Europe has faced challenges due to the rise of populism. Migrants are often seen as living in ‘parallel societies’ supposedly due to their ‘failed’ integration. Turkish communities in Europe are torn between cultural assimilation in their host countries and the Turkish nationalism promoted by Turkey. This dilemma is heightened by Turkey’s diaspora policies, which aim to use Turkish communities abroad as political tools, reinforcing a sense of Turkish identity through an idealised portrayal of the Ottoman past. Our study investigates the impact of these policies on the identity expressions of Turkish migrants, particularly within ethnoreligious communities. Through interviews and ethnographic observations in a mid-sized city in Germany, we found that Turkish migrants express diverse identities shaped by their socio-political connections in Germany. While some groups align more with an inclusive Muslim identity, other communities – organised around state-led organisations, which are more exposed to Turkey’s diaspora policies – tend to merge Islam and Turkishness, often emphasising a national pride tied closely to Turkey and its political ambitions. Despite these variations, all participants maintained strong symbolic or real connections to Turkey. This research provides new insights into how Turkey’s diaspora policies affect identity expressions among Turkish postmigrants.