Mafia Claims Expose Erdogan’s Political Vulnerability

  • Erdogan’s beholden to a junior partner for political survival
  • Graft claims against his associates may further hit popularity
Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 26.Photographer: Adem Altan/AFP/Getty Images
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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is facing an uncomfortable truth: his governing party -- Turkey’s largest -- is now dependent on a marginal coalition ally to maintain its dominance. And a slew of dramatic corruption allegations from a fugitive mafia boss could further dent his flagging popularity.