The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations on Political Participation: The Case of the Turkish Diaspora in Germany

Abstract

This study subjects the political participation of the Turkish diaspora in Germany. It aims to reveal the role of Turkish non-governmental organizations (NGOs) organized and operating in Germany in the political participation of the Turkish diaspora. For this purpose, it focuses on the activities of NGOs for the federal elections held in Germany on September 26, 2021. It was designed as a case study from qualitative research methods. As a result of the analysis of the data obtained within the scope of the research, it has revealed that the NGOs included in the study sample not only encourage and increase the political participation of the Turkish diaspora in Germany and encourage the members of Turkish diaspora to vote for political parties that defend their interests, but also serve as a bridge between the Turkish diaspora and the politics of Germany.

Keywords

• turkish diaspora
• political participation
• elections
• non-governmental organizations
• germany