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.