The transformation of indigenous European populations continues at a fast pace due to the influx of migrants from developing countries, many of whom are Muslim.
A significant portion of the responsibility for this shift lies with the mainstream political parties and their European Parliament groups. Under the pretext of globalization, open borders, and free movement—both legal and illegal—these parties allow the settlement of foreign populations through laws and policies they establish. This development affects the standard of living for European citizens and has been linked to rising crime rates and international terrorism concerns.
In Hamburg, Germany, the Socialist Party (SPD) consulted with Turkish and Muslim organizations in the region regarding the challenges they face. Approximately 130,000 Muslims reside in this area of Northern Germany. As a result of this dialogue, the local parliament recognized Islam as an important part of life in Germany. This decision was welcomed by representatives of the center-right CDU, the leftist party Die Linke, and the Greens. The changes introduced include official recognition of major Islamic holidays, allowing Muslim students to take time off from school and employees to be excused from work on those days. Additionally, plans have been made to build more mosques to accommodate religious practices. One notable case involved a Berlin-based imam who was recently deported for allegedly inciting violence and discouraging Muslim men from forming relationships with German women. The Hamburg state government reached agreements with several Islamic organizations, including the Alevi community, the Islamic Cultural Center, the Council of Islamic Communities (SCHURA), and the Turkish-Islamic Union (DITIB), the latter of which receives support from the Turkish government. Following the law’s passage, a DITIB representative described the decision as a historic moment for Germany. SCHURA has also faced scrutiny, and its president, Mustafa Yoldas, has been accused of links to the Milli Görüş movement, which was founded by Necmettin Erbakan and advocated for the revival of the Ottoman Empire. Erbakan was a mentor to the current Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The Turkish government is believed to support these organizations in an effort to establish strong Turkish and Islamic communities across Europe.
Critics argue that European political parties fail to recognize this influence and instead support these groups while opposing those who resist such changes. In Cyprus, Turkey has created a self-declared state in the northern part of the island, which successive Cypriot governments have been unable to effectively counter in terms of foreign policy and internal security. The number of Muslim migrants is rapidly increasing, and some speculate that, with Turkey’s backing, they may soon demand greater rights, potentially shifting the demographic balance in a federalized Cyprus.
Stratos Karanikolaou
Foreign Relations
National Democratic Movement (ΔΕΚ)
