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A few months after his brutal crackdown on protestors in Istanbul’s Gezi Park, Erdogan faces another challenge to his rule – a corruption scandal. Blaming it on his one-time ally, cleric Fethullah Gulen, Erdogan continues to consolidate power, becoming president and transforming the office from a largely ceremonial role into a powerful executive position.

But in 2016, just as he is about to remove followers of Fethullah Gulen from the military and the security services, there is a violent coup attempt, with swat teams sent to kill Erdogan. They fail, and Erdogan then uses emergency powers to crack down even harder on dissent and increase his power further.

On 14 May 2023, Erdogan faces another general election. Polls place Erdogan’s ruling alliance and the opposition too close to call, but many believe Erdogan will do anything to stay in power.