Erdogan presses ahead with park plans despite protests
- 11 years ago
Unbowed by days of violent clashes and protests, Tayyip Erdogan says plans to turn an Istanbul park into a shopping center are going forward.
SOUNDBITE: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Saying (Turkish)
"Before the elections in 2011, I promised to achieve these projects. I stated then that 7 great projects will see the light in Istanbul."
The Turkish Prime Minister's announcement, which was made during a trip to Tunisia, is already rankling Turkish citizens.
SOUNDBITE: Istanbul Resident Feza, saying:
"It has to be, it has to stay as a park."
SOUNDBITE: Protester Elif saying:
"I think he is kidding just because he can't get what he wants anymore."
Plans to develop the park --- which is a popular venue for political rallies triggered protests throughout the country --- and point to mounting anger over Erdogan's leadership --- which some have described as authoritarian.
SOUNDBITE: PROTESTER ELIF SAYING:
"This is not a
SOUNDBITE: Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, Saying (Turkish)
"Before the elections in 2011, I promised to achieve these projects. I stated then that 7 great projects will see the light in Istanbul."
The Turkish Prime Minister's announcement, which was made during a trip to Tunisia, is already rankling Turkish citizens.
SOUNDBITE: Istanbul Resident Feza, saying:
"It has to be, it has to stay as a park."
SOUNDBITE: Protester Elif saying:
"I think he is kidding just because he can't get what he wants anymore."
Plans to develop the park --- which is a popular venue for political rallies triggered protests throughout the country --- and point to mounting anger over Erdogan's leadership --- which some have described as authoritarian.
SOUNDBITE: PROTESTER ELIF SAYING:
"This is not a