Allegations of government graft, which Erdogan has cast as a campaign to destroy him by political enemies at home and abroad, have spiraled into the biggest challenge of his 11-year rule, unnerved foreign investors and raised questions about Turkey’s commitment to democratic reforms.In other countries, his opponents complain, a scandal of such proportions, with voice recordings purportedly detailing corruption among his inner circle appearing on social media on a daily basis, would bring a prime minister down, or at least force him to publicly confront the allegations head on.Yet it is hardly in doubt that Erdogan’s AK Party will emerge triumphant, from local elections on March 30, due to the support from the conservative and pious segments of society that see him as a hero for raising living standards and breaking the hold of a secular, urban elite.
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