Perceiving ‘Europe’ in Dire Times: Elite Perceptions of European Integration in Turkish Politics after the 2010s

This chapter explores the transformative dynamics in Türkiye–EU relations post-2010, particularly within the context of Turkish political elites’ perceptions. The chapter underscores the profound impact of the strained Türkiye–EU ties, marked by blocked negotiation chapters and democratic backsliding. Emphasizing the shift from conditionality to transactionalism, it scrutinizes the evolving geopolitical landscape and realpolitik considerations, notably in light of the Ukraine war. The analysis centres on Turkish members of parliament involved in the Türkiye–EU Joint Parliamentary Committee, probing their perspectives on economic, security, and identity dimensions. Historical context, key events, and the concept of ‘peripherality’ are examined, employing interviews and Committee meeting minutes. The chapter culminates in an assessment of recent perceptions of the EU perceptions among Turkish political elites, examining potential centre–periphery dynamics in bilateral relations.