Analyzing X Posts of Political Figures Regarding Syrians Under Temporary Protection: The Case of Ümit Özdağ

The aim of this study is to analyze how political figures in Türkiye use social media to shape public opinion regarding Syrians under temporary protection. In this context, the study focuses on Ümit Özdağ, a prominent political figure known for his nationalist discourses, and examines his posts related to Syrians on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The research covers the period after 2011, when the Arab Spring and the Syrian civil war triggered large migration waves, resulting in more than three and a half million Syrians living in Türkiye under temporary protection. A literature review was conducted to provide background information on the situation of Syrians in Türkiye and the policies implemented by the Republic of Türkiye, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and international institutions. The study employs qualitative content analysis to examine Özdağ's social media posts, focusing on the language and themes used in his discourse. The findings indicate that Özdağ frequently associates economic and social problems in Türkiye with Syrians under temporary protection and uses discriminatory and marginalizing rhetoric. It is also observed that after the establishment of the Victory Party (Zafer Partisi), of which he is the founder and chairman, his discourse became sharper and more polarized, with a clear focus on mobilizing political support through the refugee issue. These results highlight the role of political figures in influencing public perceptions of migration and emphasize the potential consequences of hate speech in the social and political landscape of Türkiye.