Ali Babacan, Former Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, has announced that he will launch a “mainstream” political party before the end of the year. The name of the new party has not been disclosed yet. Babacan left the Justice and Development (AKP) Party last July, pointing to “deep differences” with Erdogan as the reason for his departure and to the risks of the lack of democracy under a “one man rule”. Babacan was a founding member of the AKP and served as economy and foreign minister before becoming deputy prime minister between 2009 and 2015. Turkish former President Abdullah Gul will advise on the new party, although he will not be actively involved, according to Babacan.