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Recep Tayyip Erdogan - Turkey's bruised battler Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Turkey's ruthless president
(7 months later)
Recep Tayyip Erdogan has bounced back with a convincing election victory for his Justice and Development (AK) Party, which will command a majority in the new parliament. In Turkey, little doubt can be left now as to who is in charge. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the country's formidable and ruthless president, has pushed out the Prime Minister, Ahmet Davutoglu, and looks set to replace him with a candidate more inclined to do his bidding.
Going for a snap election was a big gamble, so soon after the Islamist-rooted AKP lost its majority in the June election. The surprise move follows a campaign by Mr Erdogan, who is supposed to hold a largely ceremonial role, to consolidate power in his office, and a period in which the president has waged war on journalists, critics, and the rebels of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
But it paid off. The AKP will have significantly more seats than the 276 it needed to rule on its own. The 61-year-old and his AK Party enjoy a fierce and loyal support among Turkey's conservative, Muslim base, while outside the country outrage grows over his silencing of critics, often by force.
Now Mr Erdogan's plan to turn Turkey into a presidential state and concentrate more power in his hands will be back on the agenda. Turkish journalists have been investigated and put on trial, foreign journalists have been harassed and deported. Last month, police raided Turkey's biggest newspaper, Zaman. Its staff emerged bloodied and cowed.
Security was a big issue in the 1 November election, after an escalation of clashes with the Kurdish rebel PKK and Turkey's worst ever suicide bombing, which killed 102 people in Ankara. Zaman's last independent edition said Turkey's press had seen one of its "darkest days". Its first edition under state control carried unabashedly pro-government articles.
The election took place because the AKP had failed to reach a coalition deal after the June election. And Mr Erdogan's authoritarian approach is not confined to Turkey's borders. His bodyguards harassed reporters in the US, and a German satirist is under investigation in his home country for offending the Turkish president on TV.
But up until then it had enjoyed a majority in parliament since 2002. Mr Erdogan came to power in 2002, a year after the formation of the AK Party. He spent 11 years as Turkey's prime minister before becoming the country's first directly-elected president in August 2014 - a supposedly ceremonial role.
Ideological battles In June 2015 the AK Party suffered a dip in the polls and failed to form a coalition. But a snap election in November, after Turkey's worst suicide bombing prompted Mr Erdogan to escalate his war against the PKK, gave the party a convincing majority.
After 11 years as prime minister, in August 2014 Mr Erdogan became Turkey's first directly-elected president, in what remains a largely ceremonial role.
But critics have increasingly accused the 61-year-old leader of polarising the country - by brooking no dissent and harbouring a secret agenda to turn Turkey into a fundamentally conservative Muslim society.
He has picked high-profile fights with some powerful vested interests - the staunchly secularist military establishment and a US-based Islamic scholar, Fethullah Gulen, who runs a huge network of supporters.
Erdogan's rise to powerErdogan's rise to power
1970s-1980s - Active in Islamist circles, member of Necmettin Erbakan's Welfare Party1970s-1980s - Active in Islamist circles, member of Necmettin Erbakan's Welfare Party
1994-1998 - Mayor of Istanbul, until military officers made power grab1994-1998 - Mayor of Istanbul, until military officers made power grab
1998 - Welfare Party banned, Erdogan jailed for four months for inciting religious hatred1998 - Welfare Party banned, Erdogan jailed for four months for inciting religious hatred
Aug 2001 - Founds Islamist-rooted AKP with ally Abdullah GulAug 2001 - Founds Islamist-rooted AKP with ally Abdullah Gul
2002-2003 - AKP wins solid majority in parliamentary election, Erdogan appointed prime minister2002-2003 - AKP wins solid majority in parliamentary election, Erdogan appointed prime minister
Aug 2014 - Becomes president after first-ever direct elections for head of stateAug 2014 - Becomes president after first-ever direct elections for head of state
Challenging the militaryChallenging the military
In the decades before the AKP's rise to power, the military had intervened in politics four times to curb Islamist influence.In the decades before the AKP's rise to power, the military had intervened in politics four times to curb Islamist influence.
In 2013 Mr Erdogan triumphed over the military elite when senior officers were among 17 people jailed for life, convicted of plotting to overthrow the AKP in what was known as the "Ergenekon" case.In 2013 Mr Erdogan triumphed over the military elite when senior officers were among 17 people jailed for life, convicted of plotting to overthrow the AKP in what was known as the "Ergenekon" case.
Hundreds of other officers were also put on trial, along with journalists and secularist politicians, in that investigation and a similar one called the "Operation Sledgehammer" case.Hundreds of other officers were also put on trial, along with journalists and secularist politicians, in that investigation and a similar one called the "Operation Sledgehammer" case.
When more than 200 officers were detained in the Sledgehammer investigation in 2011 the heads of Turkey's army, navy and air force resigned in protest. When more than 200 officers were detained in the Sledgehammer investigation in 2011, the heads of Turkey's army, navy and air force resigned in protest.
Critics accused Mr Erdogan of using the judiciary to silence political opponents, and there were many allegations of trumped-up charges.Critics accused Mr Erdogan of using the judiciary to silence political opponents, and there were many allegations of trumped-up charges.
But his supporters applauded him for taking on previously untouchable establishment figures, who saw themselves as guardians of the state created by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.But his supporters applauded him for taking on previously untouchable establishment figures, who saw themselves as guardians of the state created by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Gezi Park protestsGezi Park protests
Mr Erdogan also unleashed the power of the state to crush mass protests in Istanbul in June 2013, focused on Gezi Park, a green area earmarked for a huge building project.Mr Erdogan also unleashed the power of the state to crush mass protests in Istanbul in June 2013, focused on Gezi Park, a green area earmarked for a huge building project.
The protests spread to other cities, swelled by many secularist Turks suspicious of the AKP's Islamist leanings.The protests spread to other cities, swelled by many secularist Turks suspicious of the AKP's Islamist leanings.
A major corruption scandal battered his government in December 2013, involving numerous arrests, including the sons of three cabinet ministers.A major corruption scandal battered his government in December 2013, involving numerous arrests, including the sons of three cabinet ministers.
He raged against "plotters" based outside Turkey, condemning supporters of Fethullah Gulen. He also lashed out against social media, vowing to "wipe out" Twitter. Mr Erdogan raged against "plotters" based outside Turkey, condemning supporters of Fethullah Gulen. He also lashed out against social media, vowing to "wipe out" Twitter.
He has a combative charisma that many Turks in the teeming cities and small Anatolian towns love.He has a combative charisma that many Turks in the teeming cities and small Anatolian towns love.
But his reputation took a hit in May 2014, when he reacted coldly to a mine disaster in Soma, western Turkey, which killed 301 people. But his reputation took a hit in May 2014 when he reacted coldly to a mine disaster in Soma, western Turkey, which killed 301 people.
Muslim revivalMuslim revival
Mr Erdogan has denied wanting to impose Islamic values, saying he is committed to secularism. But he supports Turks' right to express their religious beliefs more openly.Mr Erdogan has denied wanting to impose Islamic values, saying he is committed to secularism. But he supports Turks' right to express their religious beliefs more openly.
That message goes down particularly well in rural and small-town Anatolia - the AKP's traditional heartland. Some supporters nicknamed him "Sultan" - harking back to the Ottoman Empire.That message goes down particularly well in rural and small-town Anatolia - the AKP's traditional heartland. Some supporters nicknamed him "Sultan" - harking back to the Ottoman Empire.
In October 2013 Turkey lifted rules banning women from wearing headscarves in the country's state institutions - with the exception of the judiciary, military and police - ending a decades-old restriction.In October 2013 Turkey lifted rules banning women from wearing headscarves in the country's state institutions - with the exception of the judiciary, military and police - ending a decades-old restriction.
Mr Erdogan's wife Emine wears a headscarf to official functions, as does the wife of his long-standing AKP ally Abdullah Gul, who was president before him.Mr Erdogan's wife Emine wears a headscarf to official functions, as does the wife of his long-standing AKP ally Abdullah Gul, who was president before him.
Critics also pointed to Mr Erdogan's failed bid to criminalise adultery, and his attempts to introduce "alcohol-free zones", as evidence of his alleged Islamist intentions.Critics also pointed to Mr Erdogan's failed bid to criminalise adultery, and his attempts to introduce "alcohol-free zones", as evidence of his alleged Islamist intentions.
Palatial ambitionsPalatial ambitions
Mr Erdogan's political opponents saw a lavish new presidential palace as a symbol of his alleged authoritarian tendencies.Mr Erdogan's political opponents saw a lavish new presidential palace as a symbol of his alleged authoritarian tendencies.
Perched on a hill on the outskirts of Ankara, the 1,000-room Ak Saray (White Palace) is bigger than the White House or the Kremlin and ended up costing even more than the original £385m ($615m) price tag.Perched on a hill on the outskirts of Ankara, the 1,000-room Ak Saray (White Palace) is bigger than the White House or the Kremlin and ended up costing even more than the original £385m ($615m) price tag.
Mr Erdogan owes much of his political success in the past decade to economic stability, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%.Mr Erdogan owes much of his political success in the past decade to economic stability, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%.
Turkey has developed into a manufacturing and export powerhouse. The AKP government kept inflation under control - no mean feat, as there were years in the 1990s when it soared above 100%.Turkey has developed into a manufacturing and export powerhouse. The AKP government kept inflation under control - no mean feat, as there were years in the 1990s when it soared above 100%.
But in 2014 the economy began flagging - growth fell to 2.9% and unemployment rose above 10%.But in 2014 the economy began flagging - growth fell to 2.9% and unemployment rose above 10%.
On the international stage he has bitterly condemned Israel - previously a strong ally of Turkey - over its treatment of the Palestinians. The policy not only galvanised his Islamic base, but also made him a hugely popular leader across the Middle East.On the international stage he has bitterly condemned Israel - previously a strong ally of Turkey - over its treatment of the Palestinians. The policy not only galvanised his Islamic base, but also made him a hugely popular leader across the Middle East.
He has backed Syria's opposition in its fight against Bashar al-Assad's government in Damascus.He has backed Syria's opposition in its fight against Bashar al-Assad's government in Damascus.
But his tentative peace overtures to the Kurds in south-eastern Turkey soured when he refused to help Syrian Kurds battling Islamic State militants just across the border.But his tentative peace overtures to the Kurds in south-eastern Turkey soured when he refused to help Syrian Kurds battling Islamic State militants just across the border.
Islamic educationIslamic education
Born in 1954, Recep Tayyip Erdogan grew up, the son of a coastguard, on Turkey's Black Sea coast. Born in 1954, Recep Tayyip Erdogan grew up the son of a coastguard, on Turkey's Black Sea coast.
When he was 13, his father decided to move to Istanbul, hoping to give his five children a better upbringing.When he was 13, his father decided to move to Istanbul, hoping to give his five children a better upbringing.
As a teenager, he sold lemonade and sesame buns on the streets of Istanbul's rougher districts to earn extra cash. As a teenager, the young Erdogan sold lemonade and sesame buns on the streets of Istanbul's rougher districts to earn extra cash.
He attended an Islamic school before obtaining a degree in management from Istanbul's Marmara University - and playing professional football.He attended an Islamic school before obtaining a degree in management from Istanbul's Marmara University - and playing professional football.
While at university, he met Necmettin Erbakan - who went on to become the country's first Islamist prime minister - and entered Turkey's Islamist movement.While at university, he met Necmettin Erbakan - who went on to become the country's first Islamist prime minister - and entered Turkey's Islamist movement.
In 1994, Mr Erdogan became the mayor of Istanbul. Even his critics admit that he did a good job, making Istanbul cleaner and greener.In 1994, Mr Erdogan became the mayor of Istanbul. Even his critics admit that he did a good job, making Istanbul cleaner and greener.
But in 1999 he spent four months in jail after a conviction for religious incitement.But in 1999 he spent four months in jail after a conviction for religious incitement.
He had publicly read a nationalist poem including the lines: "The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets and the faithful our soldiers."He had publicly read a nationalist poem including the lines: "The mosques are our barracks, the domes our helmets, the minarets our bayonets and the faithful our soldiers."
In 2001 Mr Erdogan launched the AKP with allies, having broken away from the Virtue Party, which had been banned.In 2001 Mr Erdogan launched the AKP with allies, having broken away from the Virtue Party, which had been banned.
His rise to power was complete when the AKP won a landslide election victory in 2002 and he became prime minister.His rise to power was complete when the AKP won a landslide election victory in 2002 and he became prime minister.