After a failed coup in 2016, Erdogan implemented a widespread crackdown. Following his re-election with increased powers, the economy faltered and the lira plummeted. As cronyism and authoritarianism become more prevalent in his government, Turks are choosing to leave the country in large numbers, taking talent and capital with them. This trend, as shown by government data and experts, suggests a significant and concerning lack of confidence in Erdogan's leadership. Over the past few years, not only have students and academics left, but also entrepreneurs, businesspeople, and numerous wealthy individuals who are liquidating their assets and relocating their families and money abroad. 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, as reported by The New York Times. According to the Turkish Institute of Statistics, over a quarter of a million Turks emigrated in 2017, marking a 42 percent increase from the previous year. This mass exodus is seen as a significant societal shift that could potentially set Turkey back decades, according to Ibrahim Sirkeci, a director at Regent’s University in London, and other experts. Sirkeci emphasized that the brain drain phenomenon is a real concern. The exodus of people, talent, and capital is being caused by a combination of factors that have become characteristic of life under Erdogan and are believed by his opponents to be permanent. These factors include fear of political persecution, terrorism, a growing lack of trust in the judiciary and the unpredictability of the rule of law, and a worsening business environment, fueled by concerns that Erdogan is manipulating the economy for personal gain. As a result, many from the traditional wealthy class, especially the secular elite who have been influential in Turkey's cultural and business sectors for years, are leaving, while those close to Erdogan and his party are taking their place. One individual leaving is Merve Bayindir, a successful hat designer in Istanbul's Nisantasi district, who is moving to London with her family after deciding to close her business and sell their home. Protesters who took part in the demonstrations in Taksim Square in Istanbul in June 2013 faced harassment and persecution, leading many of them to leave Turkey. One such protester, Bayindir, continues to be haunted by the violent events and lives in fear in her own city. Numerous individuals faced harassment and persecution in Turkey and as a result, many chose to leave the country. Erdogan labeled the protesters as troublemakers and, following arrests and harassment, a significant number of people decided to relocate. Bayindir expressed the overwhelming discrimination and violence in Turkey, stating that it is unbearable. Many Turks, including Bayindir, have sought business visas in the UK or participated in golden visa programs in Greece, Portugal, and Spain to obtain residency by purchasing property. The number of Turks applying for asylum in Europe has also increased in recent years, according to Sirkeci, who has researched Turkish migration to the UK for two and a half 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 number is twice as many as the period from 2004 to 2015. Following the coup attempt, applications for political asylum by Turkish citizens in Britain increased by threefold and by sixfold in Germany, according to information 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 his followers, often with little evidence. Tens of thousands of teachers and academics lost their jobs following the coup, including hundreds who had signed a peace petition urging the government to stop military action in Kurdish cities. Many have found work overseas. Erdogan's efforts to make Turkey more conservative and religious have led to a growing middle class and a small group of elites who owe their economic success to him. According to Bekir Agirdir, director of the Konda polling company, the flight of capital and talent is a deliberate attempt by Erdogan to reshape society. The government's support for new businesses through subsidies and favorable contracts has led to the rapid replacement of old ones. “There is a shift of wealth happening,” he stated. “It involves societal and political manipulation.” Ilker Birbil, a mathematician facing charges for supporting the peace petition and relocating to Utrecht University in the Netherlands, cautioned that Turkey was experiencing a permanent loss of its citizens. Birbil noted that those leaving the country have no intention of returning due to the polarized political environment. This situation is concerning for Turkey. “I have been contacted by numerous students and acquaintances who are looking to leave Turkey,” he revealed. Erhan Erkut, a co-founder of MEF University in Istanbul, which focuses on teaching innovation and entrepreneurship, mentioned that students are losing hope for change as they have only known Erdogan as the leader for the past 17 years. He stated that the current government is the only one they have experienced, and they are unaware of other possibilities. Families are establishing businesses overseas for future generations, according to Sirkeci of Regent's University, noting that many students at his private university fit into this category. The Global Wealth Migration Review, produced by AfrAsia Bank, reported that at least 12,000 of Turkey's millionaires, representing about 12 percent of the wealthy class, transferred their assets out of the country in 2016 and 2017. The majority relocated to Europe or the United Arab Emirates, with Istanbul, Turkey's largest business hub, being among the top seven cities globally witnessing an outflow of wealthy individuals. The report stated that throughout history, major country collapses have been preceded by the migration of wealthy individuals out of that country. Erdogan has criticized businesspeople who have moved their assets abroad as the Turkish economy struggles, warning them that they will not be forgiven for their actions. He made these remarks during a speech at a business association in Istanbul, emphasizing that such behavior cannot be justified. This comes as reports indicate that some of Turkey's biggest companies are withdrawing investments from the country. Several companies have moved a significant amount of capital overseas due to concerns about being targeted in the aftermath of a coup or economic downturn. One example is Yildiz Holding, a Turkish food company, which faced criticism on social media for alleged ties to a political movement. In response, Yildiz restructured its debt and transferred ownership of its Turkish biscuit maker, Ulker, to a London-based holding company to protect it from legal action in Turkey. The transfer of funds out of Turkey has been substantial in recent years, with many feeling threatened and choosing to relocate their businesses abroad. In Turkey, she used to have six employees and a showroom, but now she creates and produces hats on her own in a rented studio in London. Despite feeling that she could have been more successful if she stayed in Istanbul, she decided to leave due to the increasing tension and fear of potential civil conflict between supporters of Erdogan and their adversaries. Reflecting on the changes in Istanbul, she noted that the city no longer feels vibrant and filled with energy. She appears exhausted. It is significant that I, someone who loves the city itself, did not want to come here.