Is Recep Tayyip Erdogan an Islamic fundamentalist?

Answer 1

It depends on which side you ask. His political enemies, including secularists and the educated elites in Turkey, would certainly say yes. They believe he has taken the country much farther to the right, and shown too much deference to conservative Islamic beliefs (and too much disrespect for Ataturk's secular reforms). As they see it, Erdogan is a pawn of those who want to turn Turkey back into a theocracy. But his supporters would say Erdogan is actually a moderate, who is trying to maintain Turkey's business-friendly and cosmopolitan image, while showing respect for the country's dominant Muslim religion. His supporters would also say that Turkey continues to be one of the most successful and modern Muslim countries.