PUB - Publikationen an der Universität Bielefeld

Germany is home to large communities of Turkey-originated and post-Soviet migrants, both of which face unique challenges and opportunities regarding democratic resilience. This policy brief explores possibilities for socio-political solidarity for those groups and offers recommendations to encourage it more broadly towards other migrant minorities.
Situation of ‘Diasporas’: While both groups have a past of opposing autocratic regimes and confronting discrimination as well as one-sided representation in German media, state of solidarity between the group is weak and Turkey-originated and post-Soviet migrant communities demonstrate serious polarization.
Transnational Repression: Meanwhile, Turkey and Russia exert control and influence overseas populations to use them as tools of soft power. These waves of transnational repressions reflecting broader geopolitical tensions are among factors shaping the identities and actions of migrant communities in Germany.
‘Imported’ and Evolving Conflicts: However, the potential conflicts and polarisation that emerge within these communities are not merely imported from their countries of origin but evolve in Germany. Such conflicts are impacted by local and transnational (f)actors, including discrimination and political participation issues.
Potential for Solidarity: Despite the limited cultural exchange and social networks, both communities share experiences of exclusion by the majority in Germany and repression from their countries of origin. Such commonalities suggest a foundation for potential socio-political solidarity as well as resilience across democratic base of both communities.