It certainly seems like a

It certainly seems like a naked arm wrestle, with lots of resonances of Paris '68.  The AKP government, however reactionary, is democratically elected (As far as I understand), except that it relies on a large conservative rural vote.  The worry I have is that some of the protestors would support a dictatorship in the name of liberalism and secularism.  To the extent that the riots put down a marker, and a show of strength, they may protect a bit of open space in the large cities, though.  Maybe a good outcome would be more municipal autonomy, although I believe local government in Istanbul is AKP controlled.A source of mine tells me that the British government are relaxed about the situation: riots happen and are contained, seems to be the view (the example of Sweden was used, although that was a much more localised experience, Turkey seems to have spread).