Protests continue as discord at Turkey’s highest levels between PM Erdogan and President exposed

Democracy, elections and voting at Democracy Chronicles

Turkey unrest highlights PM, president rivalry

AFP – Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul have strongly differing lines on Turkey’s mass protests, throwing a spotlight on their growing rivalry ahead of next year’s elections when both could potentially run for the presidency, observers say. Ever since the first rounds of tear gas were fired, Turks who oppose Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan posed for photos atop an overturned police car as they celebrate seizing Istanbul’s Taksim Square from police. The young Turkish artists clustered on a dark edge.

Supporters of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan shout slogans as they wait for his return at Istanbul Ataturk airport in Turkey, Thursday. Until recently, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan could count on a universally warm welcome.