Former Turkish minister establishes party to challenge Erdogan
Ali Babacan, who served as foreign minister and economy czar under Turkey’s powerful leader, has formally applied to set up a new political party, hoping his promise for greater economic and civil liberties will appeal to voters weary of Turkey’s "politics of fear."
ISTANBUL — Ali Babacan, a former confidant of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, formally applied on March 9 to launch a political party he said aims to expand freedoms, rebuild trust in institutions and repair the economy, in a rebellion against the ruling party that has dominated Turkey for nearly two decades.
The application for a new party with the Interior Ministry comes after months of delays and is aimed at giving Turkey a “fresh start,” Babacan said in a television interview earlier in the day. It is the second time in three months an erstwhile Erdogan loyalist has established a new political party in a bid to chip away at the government’s base of support.
Babacan, who served as deputy prime minister, foreign minister and economy minister under Erdogan, quit the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) last year, citing “deep differences in principles, values and ideas.” He said March 9 that poor governance was to blame for Turkey’s problems.
“Politics are sustained by fear. We want a Turkey in which the level of welfare increases and people can plan for their futures without fear. If we don’t do this, far worse days await Turkey,” Babacan said in an interview on FOX TV’s Turkish affiliate. He said the party would hold a launch ceremony March 11.
