Abstract:

In March 2019, the European Parliament adopted a resolution for suspension of the accession negotiations of Turkey. Following the decision, European Parliament elections were held on May 23-26, 2019 in the European Union countries. In the post-election period, the two largest central groups in the Parliament, the Christian Democrats and the Social Democrats lost votes, while the Liberals and the Greens became stronger. The far-right, populist parties gained significant power and formed their groups in the Parliament. Relationship of Turkey which gained candidacy status in Helsinki Summit in 1999, with the European Union has been continuing in a negative atmosphere- particularly after the 15 July coup attempt. Some political groups in the European Parliament criticize Turkey claiming that it violates values like human rights, rule of law, democracy and international law with its drilling operations in the Eastern Mediterranean and they ask for terminating Turkey’s accession negotiations some time in.  This study discusses the changing arithmetic of political groups in the parliament after 2019 elections and these groups’ attitudes, discourses and written statements as to political problems with Turkey. Due to the change in the political arithmetic of the Parliament in the said legislative period, this study is thought to be distinguished from the existing studies in the literature. The study concludes that Turkey couldn’t develop a strong dialogue with stakeholders in the European Parliament and couldn’t defend its theses successfully. This study also presents certain policy recommendations. 

Keywords: