New parties forming in Turkey: Babacan versus Davutoğlu

Source:Ahval News Date:02May2019

Reports suggest two former senior figures in Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) are attempting to form new parties.

Ahmet Davutoğlu, a former prime minister under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, appears to want to target the AKP constituency of devout, conservative Turks with an Islamist, agenda. Davutoğlu released a manifesto last week in which he criticised the AKP, giving the impression that he is of the opinion that the Islamic cause in Turkey is in trouble and he wants to revitalise it.

Ali Babacan, a former deputy prime minister in charge of the economy, appears to want to target not only the AKP’s constituency, but also the larger centre and centre-right constituencies in Turkey. Babacan aims to consolidate those constituencies around a liberal and market-oriented political agenda.