Framing of Syrian Refugees in Turkish Politics: an Analysis of Turkish Grand National Assembly Debates

Abstract

This study examines how Turkish political parties framed the Syrian refugee issue in floor speeches in the Turkish parliament leading up to the 2023 general election. Building upon research that explores how political party ideologies, issue ownership, and issue salience shape party approaches to immigration and refugee issues, we analyzed the incumbent AKP's response to opposition criticisms of its open-border policy. Additionally, we examined whether the CHP, MHP, & Idot;Y & Idot;P, and HDP increased their standing on the issue by addressing it in speeches and whether they framed the issue from social, demographic, economic, humanitarian, or security threat perspectives.