This article thinks the reaction of Prime Minister Erdogan could be crucial to whether he survives or goes:
Erdo-gone? After Taksim, Turkish Leader’s Political Future May Hang in the Balance
And it assumes his reaction has to be on giving in to the protesters on the narrow issues at hand and strengthening rule of law rather than seeing elections as ratifying autocracy of the majority.
Stratfor doesn't see the protest movement as it stands as leading to much:
But even as the appeal of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (also known by its Turkish acronym, AKP) is beginning to erode, it will remain a powerful force in Turkish politics for some time to come, with its still-significant base of support throughout the country and the lack of a credible political alternative in the next elections.
Turkey is certainly becoming more polarized between Islam-friendly people and the secularized elements who used to rule Turkey. But it just doesn't seem like the Islamists and Islam-friendly elements are losing the political battle (or the demographic battle, for that matter).
Could the protests reinforce the concept of rule of law and rein in Erdogan's efforts to rule like China for a day--every day? I'll certainly look to others with far more knowledge on this than I have for clues.
But unless the Turkish military has the desire to intervene in politics and can leverage a military crisis with Syria to justify such an act, it just doesn't seem like the protests will lead to significant, lasting changes in the basic strength of secularists and Islamists (moderate or more radical).
