Skip to main content

No Turkish Spring, But Maybe Erdogan's Solstice

The recent protests may not mark a turning point for Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, but rather a shift from a steady rise to a gradual decline.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JUNE 06:  A protestors build a makeshift barricade  near Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan office, between Taksim and Besiktas, early morning on June 6, 2013 in Istanbul, Turkey. The protests began initially over the fate of Taksim Gezi Park, one of the last significant green spaces in the center of the city. The heavy-handed viewed response of the police, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government's increasingly authoritarian agenda has broadened the rage of the cla

The mass protests that have shaken Turkey are certainly a watershed in the country's political history. But they are also liable to be easily misunderstood by many — by Turks themselves and outside observers.

For example, these protests do not imply that a “Turkish Spring” is in the air. The Arab Spring to which this perception alludes was a series of popular uprisings against longtime dictatorships. Massive crowds in Tunisia and Egypt hit the streets to fight for free, fair elections. Yet Turkey has had free and fair elections since 1950, and Erdogan has held power since 2002 by winning those elections with a steady increase in votes. He is, in fact, the most popular prime minister of the past half-century.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.