Erdogan cracks down

摘要

The protests that have convulsed Turkey since May 31st are gradually dying down. Calm has returned across most of the country. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, seems firmly in control. To judge by the huge turnout at weekend rallies in Ankara and Istanbul of his Justice and Development (ak) party, his base is more loyal and adoring than ever. But at what price? Mr Erdogan had been hailed as a visionary who transformed Turkey into a regional power and proved that political Islam and democracy were a perfectly workable mix. His international reputation is now badly dented. At home critics now fear him as well as disliking him. This seems to be what he wants.