Vladimir Bortun1; Deniz Pelek1; Eva Østergaard-Nielsen1; 1 Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain
Discussion
There is a growing literature on the political impact of migration on the country of origin. However, research on the nexus between migration and political elites is still limited. There is a gap with regards to the processes of (re)socialisation and diffusion that may lie behind the political activities of a broader segment of the political elite such as returnee members of parliament (RMPs). We also need to understand the extent to which the particular context in the country of origin mediates attempt of diffusing upon return any attitudes. Drawing on documentary research and qualitative interviews, we compare RMPs’ degree of interest in and attitudes towards emigrants (or diaspora) and immigrants. We focus on RMPs from two countries with mass emigration to Western democracies but with different political systems and migration patterns – Romania and Turkey. More specifically, we contrast RMPs to non-RMPs in terms of the shares and the content of their parliamentary questions on the themes of diaspora and immigration. Furthermore, the qualitative interviews allow us to explore how their attitudes on these two themes might have been shaped, and continue to be informed, by their own migration experience. We expect for RMPs in both countries – the differences between the two national contexts notwithstanding – to show, partly due to their migration experience, greater interest in these themes as well as a more positive perception of emigrants and immigrants alike.
