However, following an unsuccessful coup in 2016, Erdogan initiated an extensive crackdown. The economy faced instability last year, with the lira plummeting shortly after his re-election with increased powers. As corruption and authoritarianism become more prevalent in his government, Turks are showing their dissatisfaction by leaving the country in large numbers. This trend, supported by government data and experts, suggests a widespread and concerning lack of faith in Erdogan's leadership. Over the past few years, not only students and academics have emigrated, but also entrepreneurs, businessmen, and numerous wealthy individuals who are liquidating their assets and relocating overseas with their families and finances. Merve Bayindir, a hat designer, stated that she is selling all her belongings after shutting down her business in Istanbul and relocating it to London. The emigration of over a quarter of a million Turks in 2017, representing a 42 percent increase from the previous year, is seen as a significant shift in Turkish society that could set the country back decades, according to experts. Ibrahim Sirkeci, director of transnational studies at Regent’s University in London, highlighted the real impact of the brain drain on Turkey. The exodus of people, talent, and capital is being fueled by a combination of factors that have become characteristic of life under Erdogan and are believed to be permanent by his opponents. These factors include fear of political persecution, terrorism, a growing lack of trust in the judiciary and the unpredictability of the legal system, and a worsening business environment. Concerns are also mounting that Erdogan is manipulating the economy for his personal gain and that of his inner circle. As a result, many from Turkey's traditional elite, particularly the secular elite who have long been influential in the country's cultural and business spheres, are leaving. Meanwhile, those close to Erdogan and his ruling party are taking their place. One such individual is Merve Bayindir, a well-known hat designer in Istanbul, who is relocating to London. She recently returned to Istanbul to close her business and sell her family's house. Protesters who took part in the demonstrations in Taksim Square in Istanbul in June 2013 experienced harassment and persecution, leading many to leave Turkey. One such protester, Bayindir, continues to be affected by the violence and feels fearful in her own city. Numerous individuals faced harassment and persecution in Turkey, prompting them to leave the country. Erdogan criticized the protesters and many of them decided to leave after dealing with arrests and harassment. Bayindir expressed how difficult it is to handle the discrimination, anger, and violence in Turkey. As a result, many Turks, including Bayindir, have sought business visas in Britain or golden visa programmes in Greece, Portugal, and Spain. Additionally, there has been a significant increase in applications for asylum in Europe by Turks in recent years, according to Sirkeci, a researcher who has studied Turkish migration to Britain for decades. He believes that 10,000 Turks have utilized a business visa program to relocate to the UK in recent years, with a significant increase in applications since the start of 2016. This is twice the amount from 2004 to 2015. There was a threefold increase in applications for political asylum by Turkish citizens in the UK in the six months following the coup attempt, and a sixfold increase in Germany, according to data from the UN refugee agency. The global number of Turks seeking asylum rose by 10,000 in 2017 to over 33,000. Many of those fleeing are supporters of Fethullah Gulen, the preacher based in Pennsylvania who is accused of orchestrating the 2016 coup, or individuals accused of being supporters with little evidence. Tens of thousands of teachers and academics lost their jobs following the coup, including many who had signed a petition for peace. Hundreds have found work overseas. Erdogan aims to make Turkey more conservative and religious, with a growing middle class and a close circle of elites loyal to him. According to Bekir Agirdir of Konda polling company, Erdogan's deliberate efforts to transform society have led to the flight of capital and talent. The government is supporting new businesses to replace the old ones through subsidies and favorable contracts. "There is a shift of capital occurring," he stated. "It involves social and political manipulation." Ilker Birbil, a mathematician facing charges for signing a peace petition and relocating to Utrecht University in the Netherlands, expressed concern about the permanent loss of individuals from Turkey. Birbil noted that those leaving have no intention of returning, largely due to the divisive political environment in the country, which he described as concerning for Turkey. "I have been inundated with emails from students and acquaintances seeking to leave Turkey," he added. Erhan Erkut, a co-founder of MEF University in Istanbul, specializing in innovation and entrepreneurship, mentioned that students are losing hope for change after 17 years under Erdogan's leadership. “He mentioned that this is the sole government they have experienced and are unaware of any alternative,” Families are establishing businesses overseas with the intention of passing them down to the next generation, as noted by Sirkeci from Regent’s University. He also mentioned that many students at his private university fall into this category. According to the Global Wealth Migration Review by AfrAsia Bank, at least 12,000 of Turkey’s millionaires, which makes up around 12 percent of the wealthy population, transferred their assets out of the country in 2016 and 2017. The majority of them relocated to Europe or the United Arab Emirates. Istanbul, Turkey's largest business hub, was ranked among the top seven cities globally that are witnessing a departure of affluent individuals. The report stated that in history, major country collapses are often preceded by wealthy individuals leaving the country. Erdogan has criticized businesspeople who have moved their assets abroad as the Turkish economy struggles. In an April speech, he warned that they would not be forgiven and would face consequences in this world and the afterlife. Erdogan also remarked that such behavior cannot be justified, as reports emerged of Turkey's largest companies pulling out of the country. Several companies have transferred a significant amount of capital abroad due to concerns about being targeted in the aftermath of a coup or as the economy began to shrink. One example is Yildiz Holding, a Turkish food company, which faced criticism on social media for its alleged connections to Gulen's movement. In response, Yildiz restructured $7 billion of debt and sold shares of its Turkish biscuit maker, Ulker, to its London-based holding company, effectively moving the family's majority ownership of Ulker out of the reach of Turkish courts. According to Mehmet Gun, the owner of a law firm in Istanbul, billions of dollars have left Turkey in recent years, especially after the coup attempt when individuals started to feel threatened. Designer Bayindir also began the process of relocating her company to London two years ago. In Turkey, she previously had six workers and a showroom, but currently she creates and produces hats on her own in a rented studio in London. She mentioned that she could have remained in Istanbul and had a better situation, but the increasing tension in Turkey made her fear the possibility of civil conflict between supporters of Erdogan and their adversaries. She noted that Istanbul no longer feels the same to her and lacks its previous energy. She appears fatigued. It is significant that I do not want to be here, as I am someone who deeply admires the city.