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Kate Farmer

Cutting to the chase

Alle Stories

Erstellt am: 13. 6. 2013 - 15:09 Uhr

Divide and rule

Reality Check: Turkey talks, MAK bike exhibition, EU and surveillance, Iran elections, Irish film festival

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There have been all sorts of stories circulating about the much heralded "talks" between Turkish Prime Minister, Erdogan, and the "protesters". While some protesters seem to have been at the talks, the have also been criticised as being talks between Erdogan and a hand picked group of celebrities, and nothing much to do with the ongoing protests.

However, Erdogan has now proposed a referendum on the development planed for Gezi Park. Maybe by going back to the roots of the protest movement and addressing the initial issue, he hopes to diffuse the situation - or at least to create an excuse for cracking down on the political side of the protest.

EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU

Protesters in Gezi Park have been rallying around flags of Araturk - thought of as the father of secular Turkey. It's an indication of their anger at what they see as the Islamisation being imposed by Erdogan's government.

It seems clear that he is not willing to talk about any sort of political reform or to bow to any popular political pressure. He was elected (albeit only by just over half the population) and he intends to hang on to that mandate whatever the cost.

Turkey analyst, Fadi Hakura from Chatham House, gives his analysis of the latest developments.