Ali Babacan said that "Yeni Yol" is "a first in our political history."

DEVA Party's General Chairman Ali Babacan came to the city to attend the condolences of the late father of the party's Diyarbakır Provincial Chairman Remzi Kaymak. After the condolence visit, Babacan answered journalists' questions regarding the agenda.

"AS DEVA PARTY, WE HAVE PRINCIPLES"

Babacan stated that they are cautiously optimistic about the process related to the meetings held by the DEM Party delegation. Expressing that they do not know the roadmap of the process, Babacan said:

"Yes, a process is underway. There is a process that started with Mr. Bahçeli shaking hands with the DEM Party officials in the Parliament on October 1. We have made many statements regarding this process so far. The delegation that visited İmralı came to our headquarters this week. We had a long meeting with them. We pointed out the risk areas. We indicated potential problems. As DEVA Party, we have principles and perspectives on how to manage the process. We are observing this process with cautious optimism. It is truly an ancient problem of our country. Regarding the resolution of this problem, even if there is a very small possibility, even if it is 5%, we support that possibility. But on the other hand, we have legitimate questions. We do not know if there is a roadmap. There is a traffic of meetings, but we do not know if there is really a plan or program behind it, if there is a roadmap. Is this process a sincere one? We do not know. As of today, we have not yet understood where President Erdoğan stands in this process. Therefore, I hope that the answers to all these questions will be given as soon as possible. But as I said in general, we are observing this process with cautious optimism."

"NEW ROAD WILL ENABLE THE WORK OF 3 PARTIES TO BE CARRIED OUT AS A GROUP ACTIVITY"

Answering a question about the establishment of the political party identified as New Road by the Saadet Party, DEVA Party, and the Future Party, Babacan explained the establishment process as follows:

"Yesterday, the chairpersons of the 3 parties sat down, and we reached a consensus on the details of this new structure. Today, the founding board came together. The petition regarding the establishment was submitted to the Ministry of Interior. Thus, the legal entity has been established. Our Deputy Chairman, Mümtaz Akıncı, who has also served as a member of the Constitutional Court and is a name appreciated by everyone for his attention to rights, law, and justice, has become the chairman of this new structure. I wish it to be beneficial. This new structure will enable the work of the 3 parties to be carried out as a group activity under the roof of the Parliament at this stage. That is the primary aim of the new structure at this initial stage. When we look at European politics, at the European Parliament, it is actually possible for different parties to come together and form a group. Many European countries allow this, but our legislation does not. Therefore, we examined how 3 parties could form a group together in accordance with our legislation, and we evaluated that the establishment of a new party legal entity and the continuation of our deputies' work under this legal entity is possible, and we embarked on a path."

"A FIRST IN OUR POLITICAL HISTORY"

Babacan, stating that the work of these three parties will be closer in the upcoming process, continued:

"The legal entities of DEVA Party, Saadet Party, and Future Party remain intact. Not all deputies will be part of this new group. A certain number of deputies from each party will continue as deputies of their own parties. Thus, all three parties will maintain their places in the list of political parties represented in the Parliament. That is, DEVA Party, Saadet Party, and Future Party will maintain their places in the list of political parties represented in the Parliament. They will continue their group activities within this new structure. This is a first in our political history in Turkey. There has been no example of this before. However, advancing Turkey, which is progressing its democracy, needs new models like those in European democracies. Therefore, we want the development of cooperation models among parties, and we believe that especially after the constitutional amendment in 2017, political parties will achieve better results through unity and cooperation."

"WE NEED TO PRESENT NEW AND STRONG CHOICES TO CITIZENS"

Babacan, stating, "We are meeting with both Saadet Party and Future Party for the future of the country," said, "This is really an important ground, an important collaboration. We say that there is abundance in unity and togetherness. If we work together with good intentions for this great and beautiful country and our beautiful nation, there will definitely be abundance in this. We started this journey with these principles and with good intentions. Next week, we will hold the first group meeting. We hope that this unity will expand. Turkey should not be stuck with the main opposition and the ruling bloc. We need to present new and strong choices to our citizens. These new and strong choices can only be formed through a power alliance. Turkey needs a new road. We want to walk this road with our friends who share the same goal. We have gathered the calls for unity and togetherness. Now we have started to walk a path together. Inshallah, this may not be limited to these three parties. It may expand further in the future. You are not condemned to the current government or the main opposition; we are here, we are strong together, and we have embarked on this journey. May our path be open, may our journey be beneficial."