ASSESSMENTS

Turkey's Violent Protests in Context

Jun 2, 2013 | 17:44 GMT

Turkey's Violent Protests in Context
Turkish protesters gather in Taksim Square in Istanbul on June 1.

(BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images)

Summary

The rapid escalation of anti-government protests in Turkey in recent days has exposed a number of long-dormant fault lines in the country's complex political landscape. But even as the appeal of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (also known by its Turkish acronym, AKP) is beginning to erode, it will remain a powerful force in Turkish politics for some time to come, with its still-significant base of support throughout the country and the lack of a credible political alternative in the next elections.

Though dissent is rising, the prime minister and his party continue to have considerable support in the country....

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