Position of Turkey's six-party opposition bloc on differentiated european integration : chasing the (im)possible dream ?

Abstract

This thesis explores the stance of the Nation Alliance (or Table of Six), six opposition parties in Turkey, towards the country’s European integration. Instead of focusing on their level of Eurosceptism or simply evaluating if they are in favor of EU membership, this study aims to look into their positions on European integration from the angle of differentiated integration. This research rejects the EU membership-non-membership dichotomy, instead proposing the inclusion of external differentiated integration as a position on the spectrum, rather than non-membership. Specifically, it is worthwhile to investigate the reasons behind the opposition’s failure to offer alternative integration models beyond the full membership pledge in its campaign in a country that has been a candidate for EU membership since 1999. Interviews with opposition parties’top foreign policymakers and analysis of party declarations and official statements provide primary data. The findings shed light on Turkey’s unique candidacy process and its implications for other candidate countries.