However, following an unsuccessful coup in 2016, Erdogan initiated a widespread crackdown. In the wake of a shaky economy and a significant drop in the value of the lira following his re-election with increased powers, signs of cronyism and authoritarianism are becoming more prevalent in his government. As a result, Turks are now voting with their feet by leaving the country in large numbers, taking their talent and capital with them. This trend, as indicated by government data and analysts, suggests a widespread and concerning lack of confidence in Erdogan's leadership. Over the past few years, not only have students and academics left Turkey, but also entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and numerous wealthy individuals who are liquidating their assets and relocating with their families and finances overseas. Merve Bayindir, a hat designer, stated that she is selling all her belongings after shutting down her business in Istanbul and relocating to London. The emigration of over a quarter of a million Turks in 2017, a 42 percent increase from the previous year, is causing concern among experts who believe it could have long-lasting effects on Turkish society. Ibrahim Sirkeci, a director at Regent's University in London, described the situation as a significant brain drain. The departure of people, talent, and capital is being influenced by a combination of factors that have become characteristic of life under Erdogan, leaving his opponents feeling hopeless. These factors include fear of political persecution, terrorism, a lack of trust in the judiciary and the rule of law, and a declining business environment, exacerbated by concerns that Erdogan is manipulating the economy for personal gain. As a result, members of the old wealthy class, especially the secular elite who have long been influential in Turkey's cultural and business circles, are emigrating, while those close to Erdogan and his party are taking their place. One individual making this move is Merve Bayindir, a hat designer in Istanbul's Nisantasi district, who is relocating to London and selling her business and home in Istanbul. Protesters who took part in the demonstrations in Taksim Square in Istanbul in June 2013 faced harassment and persecution, leading many to leave Turkey. One such protester, Bayindir, continues to be haunted by the violence and feels unsafe in her own city. Many individuals faced harassment and persecution in Turkey, leading them to leave the country. Erdogan criticized the protesters and many of them left after experiencing arrests and harassment. Bayindir mentioned the discrimination, cultural and personal, along with the anger and violence that is difficult to cope with. Many Turks, including Bayindir, have applied for business visas in the UK or for golden visa programmes in Greece, Portugal, and Spain. The number of Turks seeking asylum in Europe has increased in the last three years, according to Sirkeci, who has researched Turkish migration to Britain for 25 years. 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. Following the attempted coup, applications for political asylum by Turkish citizens in the UK tripled in the six months after, and increased sixfold 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 followers of Fethullah Gulen, a preacher based in Pennsylvania who is accused of orchestrating the coup in 2016, or individuals accused of being his followers with weak evidence. After the coup, a large number of teachers and academics were dismissed from their positions, including many who had signed a petition for peace. Some have found jobs overseas. Erdogan's efforts to make Turkey more conservative and religious have led to a shift in the economic landscape, with a growing middle class and a close group of elites who owe their success to him. This intentional societal transformation has resulted in a loss of capital and talent, according to Bekir Agirdir, director of the Konda polling company. The government has supported new businesses through subsidies and contracts, leading to a rapid replacement of older establishments. He stated that there is a shift of resources happening, which involves social and political manipulation. Ilker Birbil, a mathematician facing charges for his involvement in a peace petition and now working at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, expressed concern about the permanent loss of individuals from Turkey. Birbil noted that those leaving the country have no intention of returning, pointing to the divisive political atmosphere as a major factor. He described the situation as worrisome for Turkey. Erhan Erkut, founder of MEF University in Istanbul, where innovation and entrepreneurship are taught, mentioned that many students and friends are reaching out to him for help in leaving Turkey. He explained that these individuals feel hopeless about the possibility of change, largely due to President Erdogan's long tenure in power. "He mentioned that for many people, this government is all they know and they are unaware that there are other options available. Families are establishing businesses overseas with the intention of passing them on to the next generation, as stated by Sirkeci from Regent’s University. A significant number of students at his private university are in this situation. According to the Global Wealth Migration Review by AfrAsia Bank, in 2016 and 2017, approximately 12,000 of Turkey's millionaires, representing about 12 percent of the wealthy class, transferred their assets out of the country. The majority of them relocated to Europe or the United Arab Emirates. Istanbul, Turkey's largest business hub, was identified as one of the top seven cities worldwide experiencing an outflow of wealthy individuals." According to the report, a major country collapse is often preceded by wealthy individuals leaving that country. Erdogan has criticized businesspeople who have moved their assets abroad as the Turkish economy struggles. He warned them in a speech in April that they would not be forgiven and would face consequences both in this life and the next. Erdogan stated that there is no valid explanation for this behavior, as reports emerged of Turkey's largest companies pulling out investments from 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 started to decline. One example is Yildiz Holding, a Turkish food company, which faced criticism on social media for its alleged connection to Gulen's movement. Yildiz responded by restructuring its debt and transferring ownership of its Turkish biscuit maker, Ulker, to its London-based holding company, effectively shielding it from legal action in Turkey. Mehmet Gun, a lawyer in Istanbul, noted that billions of dollars have left Turkey in recent years, particularly after the coup attempt, as individuals felt threatened. Designer Bayindir also began relocating her company to London two years ago. In Turkey, she used to have six employees and a display room, but now she creates and produces hats on her own in a rented studio in London. She could have remained in Istanbul and been more successful, but the tension in Turkey has escalated to the point where she is afraid of potential civil unrest or even civil war between supporters of Erdogan and his critics. When she visits Istanbul now, she notices that the city has lost its vitality. She appears exhausted. It is significant that I do not want to be here, as I am someone who loves the city itself.