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Turkish government, protesters seek to draw sting from unrest

June 10, 2013 17:32
By Ece Toksabay ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's deputy prime minister said on Wednesday he had no objection to silent anti-government protests inspired by a symbolic "Standing Man" vigil, comments that could help draw the sting out of three weeks of often violent demonstrations. Protests against Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's government have become increasingly creative in recent days, as police and demonstrators seek to avoid the fierce clashes that have dented Turkey's reputation for stability in the volatile Middle East.

Turkish opposition leader sees protests as 'turning point'

June 17, 2013 09:00
By Ayla Jean Yackley and Asli Kandemir ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan's handling of Turkey's fiercest anti-government protests in more than 30 years has exposed the extent of his authoritarianism and only entrenched hostility to his rule, the head of the main opposition party said.

Analysis: Turkey's history of military coups hangs over protests

June 12, 2013 15:37
By Ralph Boulton and Parisa Hafezi ISTANBUL/ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's "pashas", the generals who once made politicians quake at the mere hint of disapproval, are staying silent as riots sweep the nation. Today the words "military coup" are nowhere to be heard, a tribute perhaps to the prime minister now accused of trampling on democracy.

Insight: Turkish troubles highlight cultural divide

June 10, 2013 10:32
By Ralph Boulton ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan stands before a sea of cheering faithful waving Turkish flags and, to shouts of "Allahu Akbar", God is Greatest, summons the spirit of pious Ottoman poets in denouncing protesters who challenge his power. Across Istanbul, the same flags, white crescent moon and star on a red background, are raised; but they proclaim what some Erdogan critics see as a different kind of Turkey.

Turkey's Erdogan warns patience with protests will run out

June 3, 2013 01:45
Turkey's streets appeared calm Monday morning after a night of noisy protests and violence in major cities.

Turkish PM Erdogan calls for calm after days of protests

June 3, 2013 06:45
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan called for calm on Monday, after a weekend of fierce anti-government protests, urging people not to be provoked by demonstrations he said had been organized by "extremist elements". The main Turkish share index fell by 6.67 percent when markets reopened. The lira was also lower and bond yields rose. "Be calm, relax, all this will be overcome," Erdogan told a news conference at Istanbul airport before his planned departure on an official visit to Morocco.

Turkish PM says Kurdish peace moves open to sabotage

March 22, 2013 15:30
By Nick Tattersall and Daren Butler ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan accused Kurdish politicians on Friday of trying to sabotage talks to end a 28-year-old insurrection, lamenting the absence of Turkish flags during a mass rally to mark a ceasefire by Kurdish rebels.

Erdogan's ambition weighs on hopes for new Turkish constitution

February 18, 2013 09:31
* Current constitution born out of military coup * Referendum seen on changes including executive presidency * Kurdish support could be vital * Risk of division in ruling party By Nick Tattersall and Orhan Coskun ANKARA, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Burhan Kuzu has a weighty responsibility: drafting a new constitution that could set Turkey on the path to democratic maturity or send it lurching towards greater authoritarianism. Time is not on his side.

UPDATE 1-Erdogan says can seek referendum on Turkey constitution if no deal

January 30, 2013 13:30
* Erdogan seen as coveting executive presidency * Signals March deadline for commission to reach agreement * Opposition fear Erdogan would accumulate too much power (Adds details, quotes) ANKARA, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday he will take proposed constitutional reforms, expected to include the creation of an executive presidency, directly to parliament and if necessary to the people if no deal can be reached by April.

Turkish PM criticises pre-trial detentions of military officers

January 26, 2013 15:30
* Erdogan has curbed influence of once-powerful military * Comments seen as distancing from trials after criticism * Comes after one of most violent years in three decades By Jonathon Burch ANKARA, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has criticised the lengthy pre-trial detention of hundreds of military officers, suggesting it was sapping army morale just as Ankara vows to keep up pressure on Kurdish militants.
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