Turkey’s former Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, once an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has again postponed the establishment of a new party, which was due last December following his resignation from Erdoğan’s party, Turkish media reported.
Babacan, criticizing the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has been working on a new political party with the backing of former President Abdullah Gül.
According to the latest reports his decision to delay its establishment was due to a strong earthquake that hit Elazığ province last week, killing 41 people.
The reports also suggest that he is still evaluating applications from candidates who want to become founding members of the new party and that the applications are mostly from former AKP members.
Former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu announced the establishment of the Future Party (GP) in December.