Ali Babacan

Babacan was appointed Minister of Economy on May 1, 2009, succeeding Mehmet Simsek. He oversaw Turkey's economic policy during a period of rapid growth, implementing reforms that attracted foreign investment and stabilized the economy after the 2008 crisis.

Babacan was appointed Deputy Prime Minister responsible for economic and financial affairs on July 14, 2011. He coordinated economic policy, including negotiations with the IMF and EU, and oversaw the privatization of state assets, contributing to Turkey's economic expansion.

Babacan left the AKP in July 2019 and co-founded the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) on March 9, 2020. The party positioned itself as a centrist alternative to the AKP, advocating for democratic reforms and economic liberalization, challenging Erdogan's rule.

Babacan's DEVA Party joined the Nation Alliance opposition coalition for the May 2023 elections. The alliance failed to unseat Erdogan, and DEVA won no seats in parliament, marking a setback for Babacan's political ambitions.