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Former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu now heads the Party of the Future. December 13, 2019 REUTERS / Alp Eren Kaya

Thursday, December 12, Ahmet Davutoglu, former Prime Minister and fellow-President of the Turkish President, officially registered his political party, called "Party of the future." He explained this Friday at a press conference in the capital, Ankara. Turkey therefore has a new political party and Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reason to be concerned.

From our correspondent in Istanbul , Anne Andlauer

The split is therefore registered in the ruling party in Turkey, AKP Recep Tayyip Erdogan. After months of speculation and a resounding resignation in September, former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu now heads the Party of the Future. His logo? A plane tree leaf, presented as a symbol of attachment to principles and traditions. His target electorate? Precisely that of the presidential formation: the conservatives, in priority.

" Freedom to gather, to criticize, to manifest "

Ahmet Davutoglu held his press conference - and this is no coincidence - in the hotel in Ankara where, 18 years ago, Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the creation of the AKP. In his speech, the former Prime Minister reaffirmed his opposition to the current regime, without ever naming him. " Our goal is freedom of expression and belief. It is the freedom to gather, to criticize, to manifest. Freedom of the press and respect for the rule of law are basic needs of a democratic society. To destroy all this, to standardize the press by irregular and oppressive methods, results in reducing the intellectual capacities of Turkey, "Ahmet Davutoglu told a press conference.

For months, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has witnessed the erosion of his electoral base. In the last local elections, the AKP lost several cities , including Istanbul and Ankara. This first split risks further weakening the party in power and the undisputed leader's image reclaimed by Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish president is all the more concerned that a former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, Ali Babacan , could also announce the creation of his party before the end of the year.