Story highlights
- PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan is "a man's man," and protesters "the minority," a supporter says
- Erdogan is powerful and polarizing
- Critics say he has accumulated more and more power and shown intolerance of dissent
- His accomplishments include unprecedented economic growth
He's perhaps the most powerful and popular politician Turkey has seen in generations. But Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan may also be the most polarizing.
And now, the man who boasts economic and political accomplishments during 10 years in office is fending off complaints from large crowds of protesters that he's turning into a "dictator."
"The only thing that we want," said one of the thousands packed into anti-government demonstrations in Istanbul, "... we want him to resign."
The editorial board of The Washington Post said Erdogan "is offering unfortunate proof that it is possible to be both elected and authoritarian."
His accomplishments in office include unprecedented economic growth in Turkey.
"Erdogan has been a key part of that success. He has vision, drive, and his supporters united around him and push for the agenda he is building," said Tim Ash, head of emerging markets for Standard Bank.
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks to the deputies of his ruling Justice and Development Party during a meeting with Turkish parliament on Tuesday, June 18. Erdogan said he had no intention of restricting anyone's democratic rights. "If you want to make a protest do it, do it, but do it within the framework of law," he said.
Hide Caption
1 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Turkish performance artist Erdem Gunduz, center, is joined by others as he makes his silent protest in Taksim Square. As word of his gesture of protest spread, Gunduz became known as the "standing man." Protests that began as a demonstration against the planned demolition of a park have grown into general anti-government dissent across the nation.
Hide Caption
2 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – People carry the coffin of Ethem Sarisuluk, who was killed during recent protests in Turkey, on Sunday, June 16, in Ankara.
Hide Caption
3 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Tens of thousands attend a rally to hear Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speak in Istanbul on June 16, a day after he ordered a crackdown on anti-government protesters at Gezi Park.
Hide Caption
4 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester faces water cannons during a clash with police at an anti-government demonstration in Ankara on June 16.
Hide Caption
5 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Police walk through tear gas during protests at Kizilay Square in central Ankara on June 16.
Hide Caption
6 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Police detain protesters after a crackdown on a demonstration at Istanbul's Gezi Park on June 16.
Hide Caption
7 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester runs during clashes between riot police and demonstrators in the streets adjacent to Taksim Square in Istanbul on Sunday, June 16.
Hide Caption
8 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester throws a tear gas canister back at riot police during clashes near Taksim Square on June 16.
Hide Caption
9 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Trash containers burn in front of riot police forces in Ankara, Turkey, on June 16.
Hide Caption
10 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters gather in the main shopping street near Taksim Square in the early morning hours of June 16 as riot police clear Gezi Park in Istanbul.
Hide Caption
11 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Turkish riot police officers use rubber bullets on June 15 to disperse demonstrators in Gezi Park in Istanbul on June 15.
Hide Caption
12 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters scramble for safety as Turkish riot police officers push them out of Gezi Park using tear gas and rubber bullets.
Hide Caption
13 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters run for cover as riot police spray them with a water cannon on June 15.
Hide Caption
14 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester throws rocks at police during clashes at the entrance of Gezi Park on June 15.
Hide Caption
15 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester on June 15, reacts in pain to a salvo of tear gas fired by Turkish riot police chasing out demonstrators in order to dismantle their tent camp in Gezi Park in Istanbul.
Hide Caption
16 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot police move in a line through the tent camp on June 15.
Hide Caption
17 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters escape from tear gas during the crackdown at Gezi Park on June 15.
Hide Caption
18 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protestors fire fireworks as police drive them out of Gezi Park on June 15.
Hide Caption
19 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters sleep in Gezi Park in Istanbul's Taksim Square early Thursday, June 13. Turkey's prime minister on Thursday called on protesters camped out in the park to pack up and leave.
Hide Caption
20 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A man plays piano for hundreds of protesters in Taksim Square on Wednesday, June 12, in Istanbul.
Hide Caption
21 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A man waves a flag in Taksim Square on June 12.
Hide Caption
22 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A man sleeps in Gezi Park in Istanbul's Taksim Square early on June 12, hours after riot police moved into the square in an attempt to push demonstrators out.
Hide Caption
23 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Municipal workers clean up a street in Taksim Square early on June 12, after police moved in to disperse protesters.
Hide Caption
24 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester prepares to throw a tear gas canister back toward police in Taksim Square on Tuesday, June 11.
Hide Caption
25 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot police fire tear gas canisters at protesters in Taksim Square on June 11.
Hide Caption
26 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – People run from a tear gas cloud in Taksim Square on June 11.
Hide Caption
27 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – People flee as riot police fire tear gas on Taksim Square on June 11.
Hide Caption
28 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters run behind a barricade during clashes with police on June 11.
Hide Caption
29 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester throws a tear gas canister back toward police on June 11.
Hide Caption
30 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Photographers crowd around a protester posing in front of a riot police vehicle at Taksim Square on June 11.
Hide Caption
31 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters seek shelter behind a barricade on June 11.
Hide Caption
32 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters try to run from riot police on June 11.
Hide Caption
33 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot police aim a water cannon at a protester as others take cover behind a makeshift shelter in Taksim Square on June 11.
Hide Caption
34 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Police enter Taksim Square during clashes with protesters on June 11.
Hide Caption
35 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters take cover behind a barricade in Gezi Park in Istanbul on June 11.
Hide Caption
36 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester uses a slingshot to throw stones at riot police on June 11.
Hide Caption
37 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters take cover behind a barricade in Taksim Square on June 11.
Hide Caption
38 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester holds fireworks during clashes with riot police in Istabul on June 11.
Hide Caption
39 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot police use water cannons and tear gas to disperse a crowd near Istabul's Taksim Square on June 11.
Hide Caption
40 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester throws a tear gas canister back toward police on June 11.
Hide Caption
41 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot police fire tear gas at demonstrators in Taksim Square on June 11.
Hide Caption
42 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Police fire a water cannon at protesters on June 11.
Hide Caption
43 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters hold molotov cocktails in Taksim Square on June 11.
Hide Caption
44 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester throws a stone during clashes with riot police on June 11.
Hide Caption
45 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters run from smoke as they clash with police in Istanbul on June 11.
Hide Caption
46 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters take cover behind a barricade as fireworks go off nearby on June 11.
Hide Caption
47 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Medics carry Yasin Ayhan, 23, a protester who broke his leg in a raid early Monday, June 10, in Kugulu Park. Riot police doused thousands of protesters in Ankara with tear gas and jets of water for a second straight night.
Hide Caption
48 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters sleep at Taksim Square in central Istanbul on June 10. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned protesters who have taken to the streets demanding his resignation that his patience has its limits and compared the unrest with an army attempt six years ago to curb his power.
Hide Caption
49 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A demonstrator is detained by police officers as protests resumed in Kizilay Square in Ankara on Sunday, June 9.
Hide Caption
50 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A demonstrator covers his face with a makeshift gas mask during protests in Kizilay Square in Ankara on June 9.
Hide Caption
51 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, and his wife, Emine, wave to supporters upon their arrival in Ankara on June 9. Erdogan told supporters that "even patience has an end" as he went on the offensive against mass protests that have consumed Ankara and Istanbul.
Hide Caption
52 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Erdogan addresses supporters from the top of a bus as police stand guard at Esenboga International Airport in Ankara on June 9.
Hide Caption
53 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters gather during a demonstration at Taksim Square in Istanbul, on June 9.
Hide Caption
54 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A demonstrator runs toward police during clashes with riot police in Istanbul, on Saturday, June 8.
Hide Caption
55 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Demonstrators shout slogans as they gather at Kizilay Square in Ankara, Turkey, on June 8.
Hide Caption
56 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Women sing as people gather at Kizilay Square in Ankara on June 8.
Hide Caption
57 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters rest in Gezi Park next to Taksim Square during a demonstration in Istanbul on Friday, June 7.
Hide Caption
58 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during the opening session of the Ministry for European Union Affairs Conference on June 7 in Istanbul. Erdogan said today his Islamic-rooted government was open to "democratic demands" and hit back at EU criticism of his government's handling of a week of unrest.
Hide Caption
59 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Supporters of Erdogan wave the Turkish flag upon the prime minister's arrival in Istanbul, on June 7.
Hide Caption
60 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protestors dance at Gezi Park in Taksim Square on Thursday, June 6.
Hide Caption
61 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A man walks past damaged buses near Taksim Square on Thursday, June 6, in Istanbul, Turkey.
Hide Caption
62 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A mother and her daughter read notes placed by protestors on a destroyed car in Taksim Square on June 6. Thousands of striking union members joined the anti-government protests on June 5, marching in Istanbul and Ankara in a sea of red and white union flags, drumming and yelling for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to resign.
Hide Caption
63 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protestors spend their day at Gezi Park on June 6.
Hide Caption
64 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protestors demonstrate near the office building of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul early on June 6.
Hide Caption
65 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A municipal worker collects garbage set on fire by Turkish protesters in a restaurant district of Ankara on June 5.
Hide Caption
66 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A woman is wheeled away by paramedics during clashes on Kizilay Square in Ankara on Wednesday, June 5.
Hide Caption
67 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters confront police forces during riots in a restaurant district of Ankara, on June 5.
Hide Caption
68 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Demonstrators run for cover as police use water cannons and tear gas on the crowd in Ankara on June 5.
Hide Caption
69 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters gather in Taksim Square as they shout slogans while protesting on Tuesday, June 4, in Istanbul, Turkey.
Hide Caption
70 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot police fire tear gas at demonstrators in Istanbul on June 4.
Hide Caption
71 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Paramedics carry a woman injured during clashes between demonstrators and riot police in Istanbul on June 4.
Hide Caption
72 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Turkish police detain a demonstrator during clashes in Istanbul on June 4.
Hide Caption
73 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester looks on during clashes with Turkish police outside of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's office, near Taksim Square in Istanbul on Tuesday, June 4.
Hide Caption
74 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Demonstrators wave their national flag on June 4, during a protest in Ankara.
Hide Caption
75 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters cover their faces with plastic. After chaotic scenes in the streets Monday that continued late into the night and sent tear gas wafting through the air, the situation was relatively calm on Tuesday morning in Istanbul's central Taksim Square, near the park where the movement began.
Hide Caption
76 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A demonstrator takes cover at a road block between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul on June 4.
Hide Caption
77 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters clash with riot police between Taksim and Besiktas in Istanbul on Monday, June 3.
Hide Caption
78 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protestors pass bricks for building barricades during clashes with riot police in Istanbul on June 3.
Hide Caption
79 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot policemen unload tear gas during clashes in Istanbul on June 3.
Hide Caption
80 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters throw riot police's tear gas back at them in Istanbul on June 3.
Hide Caption
81 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protester wounds are treated during clashes in Istanbul on June 3.
Hide Caption
82 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Demonstrators set up road blocks between Taksim and Besiktas. Barricades remain up around the square, and Erdogan's opponents appear determined to continue the demonstrations despite the prime minister's comment on June 3 that he expects the situation to return to normal "within a few days."
Hide Caption
83 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A medical team tends to a protester. The Turkish Medical Association claimed that at least 3,195 people had been injured in clashes on June 1 and June 2. Only 26 of them were in serious or critical condition, it said.
Hide Caption
84 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters stand atop a pile of rubble during clashes with Turkish police on Monday, June 3.
Hide Caption
85 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Turkish riot police fire tear gas canisters to disperse protesters near Taksim Square on June 3.
Hide Caption
86 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Police officers tend to a demonstrator during the violent clashes in Istanbul on June 3.
Hide Caption
87 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester waves the Turkish flag from a rooftop at Taksim Square on June 3 as large crowds continue to demonstrate below.
Hide Caption
88 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester wears a gas mask as smoke from a burned car fills the air at Taksim Square on June 3.
Hide Caption
89 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Despite Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call for calm on Monday, June 3, protests continued in Istanbul. Protesters carry the Turkish flag and shout against the government in Gezi Park near central Istanbul.
Hide Caption
90 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – After protests that lasted until the early morning, a protester sleeps in a damaged and vandalized vehicle in Taksim Square on June 3. Protests showed no sign of letting up on Monday, almost a week after a peaceful sit-in was met with a police crackdown, igniting the biggest anti-government riots the city has seen in a decade.
Hide Caption
91 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A tired protester rests in front of the graffiti-sprayed wall of an information booth at Taksim Square in central Istanbul on June 3.
Hide Caption
92 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Turkish protesters clash with riot police near the prime minister's office between Taksim and Besiktas early June 3.
Hide Caption
93 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters drive an excavator toward Turkish riot police as they make their way to Erdogan's office on June 3.
Hide Caption
94 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – During the clashes, volunteer doctors helped injured protesters in a mosque on June 3.
Hide Caption
95 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester is silhouetted by a burning car at Taksim Square during clashes in the early morning of June 3.
Hide Caption
96 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester covers his face on June 3 near Erdogan's office in Istanbul.
Hide Caption
97 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters clash with riot police in Istanbul on June 3.
Hide Caption
98 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters gather in Taksim Square in Istanbul on Sunday, June 2.
Hide Caption
99 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot police fire tear gas during a protest against Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his ruling AK Party in central Ankara on June 2. Sparked by the events in Istanbul, general anti-government protests have sprung up in Ankara.
Hide Caption
100 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Demonstrators hide behind makeshift shields during clashes with Turkish riot police in Ankara on June 2.
Hide Caption
101 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Police use a water cannon to disperse protesters outside Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's working office in Istanbul on June 2.
Hide Caption
102 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters cling to a police vehicle mounted with a water canon in Istanbul on June 2.
Hide Caption
103 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Turkish police detain a protester during demonstrations in Ankara on June 2.
Hide Caption
104 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A protester flashes a victory sign as he takes part in a demonstration in Ankara on Saturday, June 1 in support of the protests in Istanbul against government plans to demolish a park.
Hide Caption
105 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters clash with riot police in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday, June 1.
Hide Caption
106 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters clash with riot police near Gezi Park on June 1. Earlier this week, several dozen activists tried to stage a sit-in at the park, the last bit of green space left in Istanbul's Taksim Square, the city's transit and commercial hub.
Hide Caption
107 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Turkish protesters wearing gas masks face off against riot police near Istanbul's Taksim Square on June 1.
Hide Caption
108 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot police use tear gas in an attempt to disperse the crowd of demonstrators on June 1.
Hide Caption
109 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A man flees the clashes between Turkish protestors and riot police on June 1. On Friday, May 31, riot police stormed the growing camp in Gezi Park with water cannons and tear gas, pushing protesters into surrounding streets and triggering the clashes that have continued for more than 24 hours.
Hide Caption
110 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – The clashes damaged surrounding businesses in Istanbul and forced them to close on June 1.
Hide Caption
111 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A man catches his breath behind the line where clashes are taking place on June 1.
Hide Caption
112 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A pair of tourists gasp for air as riot police use tear gas and water cannons the fend off the demonstrators. Turkish security forces allowed small groups of pedestrians to travel through the square.
Hide Caption
113 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protesters buy gas masks from a local shop near the square on June 1.
Hide Caption
114 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot police fire tear gas into the crowd of protesters overnight on Friday, May 31.
Hide Caption
115 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Demonstrators set up barricades and build a fire as they clash with Turkish officers on May 31.
Hide Caption
116 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Friends carry an injured protester on May 31. More than a dozen people have been injured in the clashes.
Hide Caption
117 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Riot police use tear gas and water cannons to disperse a crowd at Taksim Square on May 31.
Hide Caption
118 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – An activist wearing a gas mask is enveloped in a cloud of tear gas on May 31.
Hide Caption
119 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A crowd scatters during clashes on May 31, as one demonstrator throws back the tear gas canister that was launched by riot police.
Hide Caption
120 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – Protestors brace themselves as they are fired upon with a water canon by Turkish police forces.
Hide Caption
121 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A large group of demonstrators gather to protest the demolition of Gezi Park in Taksim Square on May 31.
Hide Caption
122 of 123
Photos: Photos: Demonstrations in Turkey
Demonstrations in Turkey – A Turkish riot policeman uses tear gas in Taksim Square on May 28.
Hide Caption
123 of 123
Protests threaten Erdogan's grand plans 02:42
Turkish protesters target prime minister 03:06
The prime minister has also spearheaded political reforms that brought Turkey more in line with the European Union -- and closer to the West.
Under Erdogan and his ruling AKP party, Turkey lifted curbs on public expression of religion, including strict limits on women wearing Islamic-style headscarves. And he's made significant progress in ending the 30 years of guerrilla war with Kurdish separatists.
Erdogan is an important ally of the United States and President Barack Obama, and a key political player in efforts to resolve the crisis in Syria.
But along the way, critics say, he has steadily accumulated more and more power and shown growing intolerance of dissent.
With his term set to end next year, Erdogan has repeatedly announced plans to transform the country's political system from a prime ministerial form of government to a more powerful presidential system, with himself as head of state.
Many journalists say press freedoms in Turkey have declined under his rule. Reporters Without Borders says Turkey "is currently the world's biggest prison for journalists, especially those who express views critical of the authorities on the Kurdish issue."
Erdogan rejects the accusations against him.
"I have nothing to say if they call the person who has committed himself to serving his nation a dictator," Erdogan said in a televised address.
Demonstrators say otherwise. "He has a big ego; he has this Napoleon syndrome. He takes himself as a sultan," said Yakup Efe Tuncay, a 28-year-old demonstrator who carried a Turkish flag in Gezi Park, ground zero for the protest movement.
Turkish citizens want PM to resign 05:29
Political turmoil in Turkey 02:13
Turkish citizens want PM to resign 00:46
"He needs to stop doing that. He's just a prime minister."
Others have different complaints about Erdogan.
Many secular Turks complain that the Islamist-rooted government is intolerant of criticism and diverse lifestyles, as evidenced by the recent enactment of tight restrictions on the sale of alcohol, Fadi Hakura, manager of the Turkey Project at the London-based think tank Chatham House, said in a CNN.com column.
Critics also complain about rapid urbanization and its effects on the environment, an issue that helped spark the initial protests in Gezi Park.
Erdogan has made clear he expects to hold on to power. The protests, he says, will not prove to be a "Turkish Spring," a reference to the Arab Spring that brought regime changes in several nations.
Staunch supporters continue to stand by him.
"He's a man's man," said Cengizhan Safi, a resident of Kasimpasa, the Istanbul neighborhood that Erdogan grew up in. "We love him a lot because he's a Muslim Turk and because he's from Kasimpasa."
Safi added that he and others don't take the protesters seriously. "Because they are the minority. We are already the owners of this country."
Erdogan has said that if he wanted to mobilize his supporters on the streets, he could bring out huge crowds. But many in the region speculate that he's losing support.
As such suggestions have surfaced on social media, Erdogan slammed Twitter for helping people spread "lies." Social media, he said, "is the worst menace to society.''
While it's unclear how the protests will affect his future, he's not new to being the subject of controversy.
In a 2011 online poll fueled by Turkish social media sites, more people picked Erdogan to be Time's Person of the Year than any other candidate. But at the same time, more people voted against the idea than for it.
As Time put it, Erdogan was simultaneously the poll's "most- and least-favored Person of the Year."
