The impact of the July 15 coup attempt on civil society in Türkiye: an assessment from the European Union’s perspective

Akdoğan, Muzaffer and Akdoğan, Onur (2025) The impact of the July 15 coup attempt on civil society in Türkiye: an assessment from the European Union’s perspective. CIVIL SZEMLE, 22 (4). pp. 27-47. ISSN 1786-3341

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Abstract

This study analyzes Türkiye’s European Union (EU) progress reports from 2014 to 2024, examining the impact of the July 15 coup attempt on civil society and the role of the EU in addressing these effects. Despite periodic crises, Türkiye-EU relations have persisted due to mutual commitment to the accession process. The EU’s progress reports highlight increasing pressures on civil society post-coup, citing restrictions on CSOs, financial constraints, and declining democratic norms. While the EU emphasizes these challenges, Türkiye’s Twelfth Development Plan (2024–2028) outlines policies to strengthen civil society, improve public-CSO cooperation, and ensure financial sustainability. This contrast reveals a divergence between international assessments and domestic policy narratives. Nevertheless, both perspectives acknowledge the need to empower civil society. The EU’s normative influence remains a crucial counterbalance against democratic backsliding. Ensuring the resilience of civil society, implementing reform processes effectively, and maintaining the EU’s role in promoting democratic values will be vital for Türkiye’s long-term democratization.

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