Former Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan will form a new political party before the end of the year to challenge President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party, announcing his intentions in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday.
Babacan resigned from the AK Party in July, citing “deep differences.” He had been a founding member of AK Party, and served as economy and foreign minister during its first years in power before becoming deputy prime minister, a role he held from 2009 to 2015.
Babacan told the Karar newspaper that he was still working to find like-minded individuals to forge a team to lead the new party.
“This will take some time,” he told the newspaper. “We want the party to be formed before 2020. The quality is very important here,”
Erdogan’s AK Party suffered a stinging electoral defeat in Istanbul mayoral elections in June, and a party led by Babacan could further erode Erdogan’s support base.
Also Read
-
Erdogan’s AKP to expel ex-premier from party: Report
The executive committee of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party on Monday unanimously agreed to send former premier and party member ... Middle East -
Former Erdogan ally resigns from AK Party, hints at forming rival party
Former Turkish deputy prime minister Ali Babacan said on Monday he was resigning from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s AK Party over “deep ... Middle East -
Erdogan says Turkey plans for five percent growth rate in 2020
President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would plan for economic growth of five percent in 2020 and expected interest rates to fall further, speaking ... Economy
