Unwavering aspirations: An exploratory analysis of the resilience of Turkish public support for EU membership

This article explores the resilience of Turkish public support for European Union (EU) membership, despite significant political, economic, and diplomatic challenges in Türkiye-EU relations. Using secondary survey data, the study provides an exploratory analysis of trends and underlying determinants of public sentiment, examining three main hypotheses: (H1) Feasibility, (H2) Positive Historical Experience, and (H3) Ideological Entrenchment. The findings reveal that while feasibility and historical experience contribute to public support, it is the deep-rooted ideological commitment to democratic values, human rights, and the rule of law that sustains positive attitudes towards EU membership. The study argues that Turkish public opinion acts as an internal anchor, sort of a north star for the country’s European aspirations, even as political divergence and skepticism from EU member states persist. Limitations of the study are noted, highlighting the descriptive nature of the analysis and the absence of advanced statistical techniques. The article concludes with a call for future research integrating more sophisticated methods to further explore the complex factors influencing Turkish public opinion on EU membership. Key words: Turkish Public Opinion; European Union Membership; Ideological Entrenchment; Türkiye-EU Relations.