The Turkish government is open to holding a referendum over an Istanbul development plan that has had a central role in nearly two weeks of mass protests, a spokesman for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s party said Wednesday.
The announcement, following talks between Erdogan and a group of activists, amounts to the first big gesture by his government to end a standoff with protesters in Istanbul’s Taksim Square and around the country.
But on a more defiant note, Justice and Development Party spokesman Huseyin Celik also said the government would not allow the ongoing sit-in in Gezi Park, next to Taksim Square, to continue “until doomsday” – a sign that authorities’ patience is running out.
The prospect of a referendum amounts to a political gamble by Erdogan, who has drawn the ire of protesters over his alleged authoritarian streak. He appeared to be betting that his strong base of support would vote for the plans.
Read more: Turkey’s Erdogan open to Istanbul park referendum - TURKEY - FRANCE 24
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