Turks in Europe against EU

The “workers” who moved to Europe 50 years ago are on the way to becoming a “diaspora.” According to a report in Turkish media, the majority want to live in two countries at once. The Hacettepe University Research Centre on Migration and Politics (HUGO), conducted a 'Euro-Turks Barometer' survey in March. The survey was conducted on Turks in 6 EU countries (Germany, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Austria), Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Switzerland. 2634 people 14 years old and older were chosen from 22 thousand 99 households. The people of Turkish descent who moved to Europe in the 1960s to work have left behind half a century and become an integral part of Europe. There are 3 million people of Turkish descent in Germany and 5 million total in Europe. 90 percent have been living overseas for around 11 years, 57 percent for over 21 years. 13 to 20 percent were born in European countries. According to HUGO Manager Murat Erdogan, "More than half of the population are European Union citizens. Immigrant Turks should no longer be considered as workers, but as a Turkish diaspora".
 
MORE THAN ONE POLITICAL IDENTITY
 
There is a difference between their political preferences in the countries where they reside and their preferences in Turkey. People who vote for leftist, socialist and green parties in the countries where they live prefer conservative and center-right parties in Turkey.
 
Erdogan explains this difference as: “This can be explained with the psychology and needs of trans-national migrants. But it also shows that individuals may have more than one political identity at the same time. This is not a contradiction, but a rational choice."
 
WILL GO TO THE POLLS
 
Inhabitants of European countries will now be able to vote in those countries. The first implementation will be during the next elections. Participants were asked where they would vote if they had to choose one country. 26 percent answered 'Turkish elections' while 12 percent answered the ‘country of residence.' 74 percent will go to the polls for Turkish elections.
 
TURKISH AND OPEN TO MULTICULTURALISM
 
Despite the increase in Turkish people remaining in Europe, the sense of belonging in Turkey and belonging to Turkish-ness is also strengthening. Turks also say they are open to multicultural belonging. 34 percent of respondents identify themselves as ‘Turkish-Muslim' while 7 percent identify as 'both German and Turkish.’
 
WE ARE SUBJECTED TO DISCRIMINATION

The perception of discrimination in Europe is widespread. Even those who have not been subjected to discrimination have observed this 'perception.' 70 percent say that there is discrimination in Europe. 80 percent believe that there is Islamophobia.
 
SKEPTICAL TOWARD THE EU
 
They are distant toward Turkey’s membership in the European Union. It is thought that the financial crisis in Europe and positive developments in the Turkish economy have had an effect. 42 percent support Turkish membership in the EU while 44 percent oppose it, with the remainder being undecided.