Turkey - Opinion: Erdogan's dangerous tactics

The idea of a referendum on the fate of Gezi Park in Istanbul could well be an own goal for Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. His attempt to involve residents in deciding whether the park, which is located near Taksim Square in Istanbul's Beyoglu district, should stay or go, is risky business.

Potentate or PM?

Erdogan is trying to present environmentalists, human rights activists and the judiciary with a fait accompli. However, what seems to have been generally ignored is that the Istanbul administrative court issued an injunction against the building project in Gezi Park before the demonstrations had even started.

Announcing a referendum now indicates that Erdogan wants to break his rivals at all costs. He fails to see that the referendum will deepen the divide in Turkish society. As the entire state apparatus is at his beck and call, he can be sure of a favorable outcome. That's why he can confidently ask people to say 'yes' to the referendum and 'yes' to the demolition of Gezi Park.

Despite widespread international criticism, Erdogan remains defiant. He seems to be utterly unwilling to learn his lesson. Two years ago, he won the elections with nearly 50 percent of the vote - that's not debatable. But he has yet to prove that he can work with the opposition and those who didn't vote for him.

Read more: Opinion: Erdogan's dangerous tactics | Europe | DW.DE | 13.06.2013