THE EFFECT OF IDENTITY ON THE VOTING BEHAVIOR OF THE TURKISH DIASPORA IN GERMANY: A STUDY ON THE AK PARTY’S VOTES IN THE 2018 TURKEY ELECTIONS

Authors : Ergin Ulusoy, Gülnihan Avcı Kaya

Pages : 91-97

Doi:10.18070/erciyesiibd.1453541

View : 46 | Download : 52

Publication Date : 2024-08-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :After the Justice And Development Party (AK Party) came to power, the policies of the state towards the diaspora changed. Of course, this radical change in politics was also reflected in the voting preferences of the diaspora. Identity is the main factor that determines voting behaviour. Thus, voting choice of the diaspora is primarily related to identity. This study focuses on to the diaspora living in Germany and concludes that there is a strong identity interaction between the AK Party/Erdoğan and the diaspora. This research asserts that the policies and discourse of the AK Party and Erdoğan are directed towards the consolidation of the diaspora. The existence of this interaction with the election and demographic statistics of official institutions is supported by the results of previous surveys with similar outcomes and the literature related to the German diaspora and compare it with the data on Turkey to present a meaningful picture.
Keywords : Turkish diaspora, external voting, political participation of diaspora, diasporas voting behaviour, AK Parti and diaspora