Second semester 2004 in France has been characterised by an animated debate on the prospects concerning the membership of Turkey of the European Union. In France, this debate seems to be more passionate and intense than anywhere else. Moreover, the number of opponents of the integration of Turkey in the European Union is particularly high.

Four hypothesises can be put forward so as to explain this dominant opposition against such a membership. The first one is linked with the conception of the European Union that the French have but it is also accorded to complex configurations.

On the one hand, some pro-Europeans are against Turkey in the name of a support to the idea of a 'power- Europe', like Euro-sceptics from the right wing. On the other hand, Euro-sceptics from the radical left wing are in favour of the integration of Ankara.

The second hypothesis is present in the french report on Islam and the immigration factor. The French would reject the candidature of Turkey because of its Muslim state, fearing of an Islamic contagion and an increase of the number of migrants.

The third hypothesis deals with the particularities of the french position towards Turkey, especially concerning the Armenian question in a country in which lives the most important Armenian community in western Europe. In reality, it is hard to choose between these three explanations, given the complexity of the positions held for that stake. For example, Socialist supporters are at the same time pro-European but they worry about massive migration threats and feel concerned about the condition of the recognition of the Armenian genocide by the Turkish government before the beginning of any negotiation. Therefore their support is quite reserved and conditional to the candidature of Ankara.

The last hypothesis tends to stress more on a certain french discontent from which the question of the Turkish membership would be just a symptom. Could this reject of Turkey be just the reflect of a national discontentment also noticeable in the strong french reluctance to the globalisation? Speaking about Turkey, aren't we actually speaking about ourselves, about our fears and anguishes towards the future?