A delicate balancing act: Turkish-Bulgarian relations within the context of foreign and domestic politics

Abstract

ABSTRACT The article examines Turkish-Bulgarian relations and the way they play into domestic politics in Bulgaria and Turkey, as well as at the EU level. Turkish-Bulgarian relations are complex and burdened with a long and complicated history that has left affected populations on both sides of the border and an array of political actors that argue over and exploit that history. In addition, Turkish-Bulgarian relations represent a delicate balancing act, as they take place within the context of a complex international political environment and growing tensions between Turkey and the EU. I argue that in order to understand current dynamics in bilateral relations, we must examine them through three lenses: 1) EU-Turkish relations and Bulgaria as an agent in this dynamic, 2) domestic politics in Bulgaria and the way bilateral relations are influenced and exploited by domestic political actors, and 3) domestic politics in Turkey and the potential benefit bilateral relations and political rhetoric towards Bulgaria can bring to Erdogan’s ruling party.