Turkish Wind in Dutch Politics: A Success Story from Labor Migration to Parliament

WISE NEWS PRESS / AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS — NOV. 25, 2024

The children and grandchildren of Turkish workers who came to the Netherlands in the early 1960s with suitcases full of hope are today writing a political success story by serving in the House of Representatives and the Senate, the most important decision-making bodies of the Netherlands.

The determination of the first-generation workers, whose only goal in those years was to earn a living and prepare a better future for their families, ensured that a Turkish wind blew in Dutch politics within a few decades. Today, Turkish-origin politicians serve as hardworking, educated, and self-confident individuals who embrace the issues of not only their own communities but also the entire Dutch society. They represent the most concrete and honorable examples of the concept of "integration."

Concrete Examples of Integration

This success story is the work of the determination of the first-generation workers employed in factories, shipyards, and cleaning jobs to educate their children and integrate them into society. Those children received good education, adopted the Netherlands as their own homeland, and achieved success in every field from politics to science, from culture to public administration.

Since the 1990s, the number of Turkish-origin deputies in the Dutch Parliament has gradually increased. Although most of them were in different parties, their common points were the same: equality, justice, equality of opportunity, and human dignity. Some served in liberal, some in socialist, some in green or conservative parties, but they all adopted the principle of contributing to the Dutch society.

The Chain of Success Continues

Today, this chain of success continues not only in politics but also in the police force, public administration, universities, and civil society. Turkish-origin names are now in positions that make laws, govern, supervise, and transform society.

Turkish-Origins Who Left Their Mark on Dutch Democracy

Below is a list of Turkish-origin politicians who have served or are currently serving in the Dutch Parliament:

MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES (Tweede Kamer)

• Nebahat Albayrak: PvdA, 1998–2007, 2010–2012; State Secretary for Justice.

• Fadime Örgü: VVD, 1998–2002, 2003–2006.

• Coşkun Çörüz: CDA, 2001–2012.

• Nihat Eski: CDA, 2002–2010.

• Fatma Koşer Kaya: D66, 2004–2010, gap and 2015–2017.

• Nevin Özütok: GroenLinks, 2006–2009 gap and 2017–2021.

• Sadet Karabulut: SP, 2006–2021.

• Keklik Yücel: PvdA, 2010–2017.

• Sultan Günal-Gezer: PvdA, 2012–2017.

• Metin Çelik: PvdA, 2010–2012.

• Yasemin Çegerek: PvdA, 2013–2017.

• Cem Laçin: SP, 2017–2021.

• Zihni Özdi: GroenLinks, 2017–2019.

• Tunahan Kuzu: PvdA, 2012–2014 (Left PvdA in 2014 and founded DENK).

• Selçuk Öztürk: PvdA, 2012–2014 (Left PvdA in 2014 and founded DENK).

• Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius: VVD, 2017– (Minister of Justice and now political leader).

• Mahir Alkaya: SP, 2018–2023.

• Hülya Kat: D66, 2021–2023.

• Nilüfer Gündoğan: Volt Party, then independent 2021–2023.

• Songül Mutluer: PvdA (now GL-PvdA faction) 2022–present (2025).

• İsa Kahraman: NSC Party 2023–2025.

SENATORS (Eerste Kamer)

• Hamit Karakus: PvdA, 2021–2023 (Worked on zoning and housing policies in Rotterdam for many years, served as Deputy Mayor of Rotterdam between 2006–2014. Completed his duty in 2023, has been serving as the General Director of the North Holland police force since September 1, 2023.)

Each one is a representative of a story, a struggle, and a pride.

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