ANKARA (A.A) - 22.07.2002 - The petition regarding the foundation of the political party namely ''New Turkey'' has been submitted to the Interior Ministry.
Former Culture Minister Istemihan Talay, former National Minister Metin Bostancýoglu and former deputies who resigned from Democratic Left Party (DSP) Erol Al, Ali Tekin, Perihan Yýlmaz, Metin Sahin, Faruk Demir, Turhan Imamoglu, Abdulsamet Turgut, Ahmet Zamantýlý, Esvet Ozdogu and Bahri Sipahi came to the Interior Ministry on Monday morning and they submitted the petition regarding the foundation of the party and the list of the founding members.
Talay told reporters that the new formation-as called by the public opinion- created the ''New Turkey'' party in a short period of time.
''We hope the New Turkey party will create the new Turkey, which is our longing. New Turkey is not only a name, it is a target and ideal for all of us,'' Talay said.
Noting that there are 61 founding members of the party who are all deputies, Talay said that Husamettin Ozkan is among the Founding Board members.
Talay said that the emblem of the party is not ready yet.
Ismail Cem, an independent deputy from central Kayseri province, was elected on Monday as the leader of the ''New Turkey'' Party.
Cem was elected as the leader of the party unanimously by the votes of 59 founding members of the new party.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Antalya deputy Metin Sahin said that 30 members were determined for the party assembly and eight members were determined for the Central Disciplinary Board. Sahin said that they would gather the group in the parliament after attending the funeral of journalist Metin Toker and determine the group administration.