Skip to main content

Young Turks use 'disproportionate wit' to shake up Erdogan

The peaceful protests and accompanying satire have plunged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan into uncharted waters.

An anti-government protester perches on a monument during a protest at Kizilay Square in central Ankara, June 9, 2013. Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan told thousands of cheering supporters on Sunday that his patience had its limits after days of protests, while tens of thousands of anti-government demonstrators gathered at a rival rally in central Istanbul. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic (TURKEY - Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) - RTX10HL6
An anti-government protester perches on a monument during a protest at Kizilay Square in central Ankara, June 9, 2013. — REUTERS/Dado Ruvic

The unprecedented wave of protests sweeping Turkey has come along with an overdose of youthful creativity and humor, undoing overnight Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s domineering image that looked invincible only two weeks ago.

The protesters, led by urban middle-class youths rebelling against Erdogan’s increasingly authoritarian ways, have yet to extract any concessions from the premier, who has dismissed them with anger and disdain. Yet they have irreversibly cracked the wall of fear the government had built and reclaimed free speech — at least in the street and on social media.

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in