Erdogan's Desire to Expand Influence in Germany and Europe

The Turkish president's entrance is undergoing a strategic move within Europe. A new political party called DAVA has emerged, and it is actively participating in the upcoming European elections in June.

Cologne - The Union of "International Democrats" (UID) seems to be undergoing a transformation. Kenan Aslan, hailing from the Netherlands, has been appointed as the new chairman of the lobby association representing the Turkish ruling party AKP. Previously, Aslan held the position of external relations officer at the mosque association IGMG in the southern Netherlands, which has sparked unease within the UID.

Adem Taflan sought information on an online platform regarding the affiliations of Kus and the new chairman. Similar to the Gray Wolves, the IGMG is mentioned in reports by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.

According to a parliamentary question from the Left Party on February 23, 2021, Köksal Kus was an active member of the Federation of Turkish Democratic Idealist Associations in Germany for several years. This organization, ADÜTDF, is the largest umbrella organization of the Gray Wolves in Germany and represents the right-wing extremist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which is in a government alliance with the AKP in Turkey.

The IGMG, like the Gray Wolves, also appears in the reports of the Federal and State Office for the Protection of the Constitution in Germany.

Interestingly, the new chairman seems to have smoothly transitioned from his position in the IGMG to his current role. Aslan mentioned that he first visited the president, followed by the deputy group leader Efkan Ala and the chairman for foreign relations Zafer Sirakaya, to discuss the wishes of Turks living abroad. On the same day, just 18 minutes later, the IGMG Southern Netherlands announced the end of Aslan's duties.

The AKP lobby is showing interest in the upcoming European Parliament election. They aim to enter the European Parliament through the newly formed DAVA party. According to a press release from the party, DAVA presents itself as a new political home for citizens who feel unrepresented by the established parties, contributing to the growing political landscape in Germany.

Several candidates are vying for election, including two doctors who held official positions at mosque associations Ditib and IGMG, as well as Fatih Zingal, the spokesperson for the UID. In an interview with fr.de from IPPEN.MEDIA, Eren Güvercin, the deputy federal chairman of the FDP-affiliated Liberals Diversity, warns against the influence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Güvercin said that Erdogan has long been working towards bringing AKP loyalists into European parliaments, and the European elections present a realistic opportunity for them to secure seats. DAVA is seen as an AKP offshoot and a tool for Turkish influence in Europe. Güvercin expresses concerns that without a new strategy in Germany and at the European level, this influence from Ankara will impact social coexistence.