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Erdogan Faces New Challenger as Party Split Looms

Dorian Jones

   ISTANBUL - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could be facing his
   biggest political challenge, with the resignation of his former
   economic czar Ali Babacan threatening to split his ruling AKP Party.
   Party discontent is escalating amidst economic malaise and
   deteriorating human rights.

   "Under the current conditions, Turkey needs a brand-new vision for its
   future," Babacan said Monday upon resigning. "It has become inevitable
   to start a new effort for Turkey's present and future. Many of my
   colleagues and I feel a great and historic responsibility towardthis
   effort."

   New political party

   Babacan is expected to launch a new political party as early as
   September. A founding member of AKP, Babacan served as foreign and
   economy minister in the early years of the party's rule. He is widely
   credited withpresiding over Turkey's economic transformation with
   unparalleled record growth.

   "We can normalize the society, end the polarization within society,"
   said Osman Can, a former national AKP board member, who now supports
   Babacan's movement. "We can normalize relations with the United States
   and Europe. We can also be a hope for the region. This is why I am
   hopeful, for Babacan lives as a conservativebut his thinking is
   liberal."

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