Electronic Democracy Party established in Turkey
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
Turkish parliamentarian Emrehan Halıcı officially launched the party on Nov. 26 in Ankara. AA Photo
Yet another new political party, the Electronic Democracy Party, or “e-Party,” has launched in Turkey, months ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 2015.Turkish parliamentarian Emrehan Halıcı officially launched the party on Nov. 26 in Ankara, and said other co-leaders will be elected soon.
Halıcı, who had been a member of the main opposition the Republican People’s Party (CHP) until resigning in September, has submitted the application to found the party to the Interior Ministry.
Speaking in a press conference at Parliament, he said “direct participation, democracy, production and a knowledge-based society” are among the core principles of the new party, which also “supports freedoms and modernity.”
The party will try to attract participation online, and members of its “e-commission” will be elected online, Halıcı also said, adding that the party will mainly be made up of “tech-savvy young people” but its doors are open to “everyone with a young brain.”
“We want to bring an end to the party leaders’ pressures and strong roles in parties. We are a different party. We are party that is not interested in rallies or election buses. We won’t make any waste of flags or paper for the elections. We are not a leader party, we are a team party,” said Halıcı.
The Electronic Democracy Party is the latest of a raft of new political parties established in recent months.
According to the Supreme Election Board, 25 parties registered to participate in Turkey’s last local elections in March 2014.