Can Dündar is one of the most recognisable faces of political exile in Germany. The former editor-in-chief of the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet fled Turkey in 2016 after being convicted on espionage charges — charges widely condemned by press-freedom organisations as politically motivated. Since then, Berlin has been his home. In a recent interview with the German public broadcaster rbb, Dündar spoke candidly about how he sees Turkey today and why he believes President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's era is closer to its end than many assume. His story is not just news — for the hundreds of thousands of Turkish nationals and other diaspora communities living in Germany, it is a mirror of their own experiences.
In the rbb interview, Dündar was direct: he believes that popular frustration with Erdoğan has reached a tipping point. "Almost everyone is fed up with Erdoğan," he said, pointing to economic hardship, the erosion of judicial independence, and the suppression of free press as key drivers of public discontent inside Turkey. He acknowledged that Erdoğan has shown remarkable political resilience, surviving a coup attempt in 2016 and multiple election cycles, but argued that structural discontent — particularly among younger Turks — makes a long-term continuation of his rule increasingly difficult.
Dündar was careful not to predict a specific timeline or outcome. Rather, he framed his analysis around the idea that authoritarian systems carry the seeds of their own instability, and that Turkey is no exception.
Beyond the political commentary, the interview offered a personal window into what it means to live in exile. Dündar has made Berlin his base for nearly a decade, continuing his journalistic work and advocacy from abroad. He has faced legal pressure from Turkey even while in Germany — Ankara has sought his extradition and issued arrest warrants — but Germany has not complied, citing press freedom and rule-of-law principles.
His situation illustrates a broader reality: Germany is home to one of the largest Turkish communities in the world, estimated at around 1.4 to 1.5 million people of Turkish origin. Within that community are people who left for economic reasons, family ties, or — like Dündar — political safety. For many, following Turkish politics is not an abstract exercise; it directly shapes their sense of identity, family relationships, and even decisions about whether to stay in Germany permanently or return one day.
Dündar's interview resonates beyond the Turkish community. Germany hosts significant numbers of people from countries with authoritarian governments — Iran, Russia, Belarus, Venezuela, among others — who have built lives here partly because they could not safely remain at home. Their legal status in Germany often depends on the political situation in their country of origin, making news like this directly relevant to residence permit renewals, asylum status reviews, and Einbürgerung applications.
For those holding humanitarian protection or refugee status tied to conditions in their home country, shifts in the political situation abroad can trigger reviews by German authorities. Staying informed about developments in one's country of origin is therefore not just a personal or emotional matter — it can have real administrative consequences.
Yes. German law allows BAMF to review and potentially revoke protection status if the conditions that originally justified it no longer exist. If a country undergoes significant positive political change, BAMF may re-examine individual cases. However, this process involves a formal review and you have the right to legal representation. It does not happen automatically or overnight. If you are concerned about a review, consult a qualified immigration lawyer or a recognised refugee advisory organisation.
Generally, no — freedom of expression is protected in Germany, and engaging in political commentary or journalism is legal. However, if your activities were to be deemed a threat to German public order or security (a very high bar), it could theoretically affect your status. For the vast majority of diaspora members commenting on politics in their home country, there is no risk to their residence permit. If you receive threats or pressure related to your political activities, contact the police and consider reaching out to press-freedom organisations such as Reporters Without Borders.
Can Dündar's interview is a reminder that exile is not a passive condition — it is a political and personal act that thousands of people in Germany navigate every day. If you are living in Germany with a protection-based residence status and have questions about how political changes in your home country might affect your situation, the best step is to speak to a lawyer or an accredited migration advisory service before any formal review is initiated. Stay informed, keep your documents up to date, and know your rights.
Source: tagesschau / rbb
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