Photo Gallery The All-Powerful Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has governed his country for 15 years, first as prime minister and then as president. On Sunday, voters will decide whether to give him another term -- this time outfitted with even more powers.
This photo is from the wedding of Erdogan's daughter Sümeyye. Confidantes of the president say he would like one of his four children to succeed him as president. His two sons seem not to be likely, but Sümeyye has frequently accompanied her father on trips. Still, it is difficult to imagine a woman taking over the deeply conservative AKP party.
Erdogan has surrounded himself with faithful servants and yes-men. Unconditional loyalty is more important to him than ability.
Erdogan called for early elections convinced that he would easily win. But economic problems and the weakness of the lira have injected some degree of suspense into the proceedings.
