The Party for Equality and Democracy (EDP) has been founded as a new left-wing party and the 63^rd political party of Turkey. Preparations for the founding started last year; a paper comprising the key points was published in September 2009.  Former Minister of Labour and Social Security Ziya Halis takes office as the Founding Chair.

The newly founded EDP will be merged with the Social Democratic People's Party (SHP) in the party's convention on 13 March.

Prof. Ahmet İnsel, Prof. Fuat Keyman and Prof. Mithat Sancar, who were involved in the preparations for the founding together with the Revolutionary Socialist Workers' Party (DSİP) withdrew from the founding works on 9 March. Chairman Halis announced that Assoc. Dr Ufuk Uras, former chair of Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) would not take office in the new party "for now" due to his involvement in the pro-Kurdish Freedom and Democracy Party (BDP).

Halis will beat retreat in case he is not successful

In the foundation meeting held in Ankara yesterday (10 March), Halis was accompanied by SHP Chairman Hüseyin Ergün, Alevi Bektashi Order Federation (ABF) President Ali Balkız, New Left Movement representative Saruhan Oluç, Eğitim-Sen President Zübeyde Kılıç, Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association President Fevzi Gümüş, KESK Board Member Adnan Gölpınar and Dr Servet Demir.

Halis indicated that the new party was founded with the help of SHP, the New Left Movement and the Alevi Bektash Oder Federation. The aim, Halis announced, is not to exceed the threshold but to come into power and to lead Turkey.

"EDP is not a derivative resembling any other political party. It is a democratic, left-wing, social democratic party of the masses which had been missing in Turkey so far".

Halis pointed out that all left and right-wing parties in Turkey were positioned as 'leader parties'.  He emphasized, "The management approach within EDP will be one of the most fundamental differences".

"It is unimportant to say that we are a left-wing party; the important issue is to do what is needed. I believe that the main opposition parties, considering themselves social democratic parties, deviated from this ideology. The party chairman can be elected for three consecutive periods according to their statutes. If I should get the notion of not being successful, I will not remain glued to my position".

Halis announced the following names to hold a place in EDP:

Hüseyin Ergün-SHP Chair, Ali Balkız-ABF President, Saruhan Oruç-New Left Movement, Zübeyde Kılıç-Eğitim-Sen President, Fevzi Gümüş-Pir Sultan Abdal Association President, Sami Evren-KESK President, Prof. Dr. Erol Katırcıoğlu, Prof. Dr. Semih Bilgen, former Members of Parliament; Şahin Ulusoy, Salman Kaya, İbrahim Gürsoy, Celal Kürkoğlu, Doç. Dr. Ferdan Ergut, lawyer Kazım Genç, Necdet Saraç-Author, SHP Deputy Chairs; Berat Sancar Yücel, Deniz Çakır, Faruk Alpkaya, İsmail Yılmazer, Şahabettin Özarslaner-SHP Secretary General, Metin Arslan-Tekel worker, Dr. Servet Demir, lawyer Muharrem Aktaş, lawyer Necati Yılmaz, Assoc. Dr Atila Erdem, Güngör Aydın-retired Governor, Assoc. Dr Mesut Yeğen, Assoc. Dr Feza Arslan, Oktay Kandemir-Worker, Mahmut Kotan- Former Mayor of Doğu Beyazıt. (BÇ/VK)