Armenpress News Agency, Armenia
November 13, 2017 Monday


Ethnic Armenian founding members of new Turkish political party under
media spotlight



YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 13, ARMENPRESS. A new Turkish political party,
called Iyi partisi – meaning Good Party, the founder of which is
former defense minister Meral Aksener, is seriously contending for
entering the parliament in the upcoming elections. Many have withdrawn
from the Nationalist Movement party to join the ranks of this new
party.

Turkish media have recently focused on the fact that two Armenians are
among the founding members of the party.

One of them is Elmas Kirakos, member of the founding council of the
party. In an interview to a local media, he said: “I go to church, I
know my God. I am Armenian and I will never hide my identity. I am a
citizen of Turkey, however my ethnicity is Armenians”.

Turkish media have focused particularly on the Armenian origin of the
other founding member, mentioning that his ethnicity has been
attempted to be hidden. According to Turkish media, Taylan Yildiz, the
co-chair of the party, has Armenian ethnicity. Yildiz has worked for
Google and is known as the “genius son” of Google.

Meral Aksener is expected to the main rival of president Erdogan
during the upcoming elections.