Erdogan's Carrot-and-Stick Approach To Protests a Loser
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan should seek inclusive policies, not engage in witch hunts.
It is becoming more or less clear what survival strategy the government and the prime minister will adopt.
This strategy can be summarized as a “witch hunt” against those seen as instigators of protests, while taking some steps to soothe the intensive criticism of the government.
Erdogan is planning to expedite some democratic opening moves related to Kurdish and Alevi issues to overcome his image erosion internally and externally. In other words, Erdogan plans for a classic carrot-and-stick strategy.
Can such a strategy restore Erdogan’s former power? Can Erdogan put the Gezi crisis behind him, without scars, with such a strategy? It will not be possible to answer these questions without properly understanding the prevailing atmosphere following the crisis set off by Gezi Park protests.
