A political party called Diva in Turkish, founded by a group of dissidents from the ruling Justice and Development Party, in March 2020, and described as "conservative" and more "liberal" than the Justice and Development Party.

Deva opposes the policies of the Justice and Development Party in most respects, and focuses in particular on the economy file.

Origin and establishment

The Democracy and Progress Party was established in meetings held by its members between March 10 and 11, 2020, when Ali Babacan was elected as its president and announced its slogan and agenda. He had notified the Ministry of Interior of his request to establish it on March 9, 2020.

The party's leader, Ali Babacan, had co-founded the "Justice and Development" party, and was elected as a member of parliament for the party in its first elections in 2002.

Babacan held many high-ranking positions in the party's governments, as he was foreign minister, economy minister, and chief negotiator in Turkey's accession talks to the European Union.

He was deputy prime minister for economic affairs before being sidelined for years, starting in 2015 when he was appointed as an advisor to the prime minister.

On July 8, 2019, he resigned from the Justice and Development Party and began working to establish the new party, "DEVA".

Thought and ideology

Ali Babacan indicated in a press conference after the establishment of the party that his party will work to strengthen the rule of law, freedom of the press, the parliamentary system, women's rights, the transition to a professional army, the solution to the Kurdish problem, and the solution to the refugee problem.

The party confirmed the adoption of the thought of the founder of the modern Turkish state, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, which is based on "peace at home and peace in the world" in Turkey's foreign policy.

In terms of relations with Europe;

The party believes that Turkey's membership in the European Union is a goal of historical importance, and it adheres to this goal in the medium and long term.

The Democracy and Progress Party is socially conservative, and attaches importance to the family and believes that it is the basis of an advanced society, and believes that the happiness and well-being of society depends on the strength of the family institution.

On the economic side, the party embraces economic liberalism and the market economy, while calling for social justice and parity, and calls for regulatory and supervisory institutions to work independently and effectively.

Flags and symbols

Although the party was newly established, it included some personalities who held high positions in the AKP governments besides Ali Babacan.

The former Minister of Justice, Saadullah Argin, the former Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Nihat Ergun, the former Minister of State Salma Alia Qavaf, and the former mayor of the municipality of "Balik Asir" Ahmed Adeeb Ugur;

Its most prominent symbols and founders.

Next to them is MP Mustafa Yeneroglu, who represents the party in Parliament.

The most prominent stations

The Democracy and Progress Party, represented by its president, Ali Babacan, participated in the first meeting of opposition leaders, under what was later known as the "six-party table" coalition, in February 2022.

The six-party alliance included the Republican People's Party, the Good Party, the Felicity Party and the Democratic Party.

The participating parties announced, at a meeting at the end of February 2022, agreement on the idea of ​​an "enhanced parliamentary system."

The opposition "Diva" party was founded by a group of dissidents from the Justice and Development Party (Reuters)

The Democracy and Progress Party announced that it will run in the general elections under its own name and slogan, and that it will present its candidate for the presidential elections unless an agreement is reached on a joint candidate within the six-party table.

However, the heads of the six parties announced, at their meeting held on August 23, 2022, that they would present a consensus candidate, without specifying his identity.

On November 29, 2021, the Turkish police arrested the retired soldier and member of the Democracy and Progress Party, Matin Gurjan;

On charges of obtaining and revealing state secrets for the purpose of political and military espionage, which Gorgan denied.