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00:00 They've come to target Muslim voters.
00:03 In one of the very first campaign meetings for the DAVA party in Hamburg, the party leader
00:08 for the European elections sets the tone.
00:12 Let's be clear, we are on the side of justice.
00:16 DAVA was founded by Germans of Turkish origin.
00:19 Disappointed with the conservative and social democrat parties, they claim to be filling
00:23 a political void and fighting anti-Muslim racism.
00:27 It's an argument that appeals to many voters from immigrant backgrounds.
00:32 It's great that they're defending our rights.
00:35 It's very good for all of those who, like us, don't feel represented anywhere else.
00:40 We've been met with euphoria since we launched, just like the Green Party experienced when
00:45 they first stood for election, and now they're part of the government.
00:50 Nearly one and a half million Germans of Turkish origin are currently registered to vote.
00:55 They represent a source of voters for this new party, which supports traditional values
00:59 but denies any direct links with the Turkish regime.
01:03 It's a delusion on the part of our opponents.
01:06 We are an indigenous German political party.
01:09 But we're not hostile to President Erdogan, Turkey or the Muslim religion, and that's
01:14 what sets us apart from other politicians.
01:17 According to German media, many party members have proven links with organizations close
01:22 to President Erdogan.
01:24 For this psychologist, a leading figure in Berlin's diaspora, the new party has no real
01:29 justification for existing.
01:33 Many Germans of Turkish origin are already involved in German political parties.
01:38 They get elected and hold office, and that's why with these arguments, DAEVA can't hold
01:44 in the long term.
01:47 Nonetheless, DAEVA hopes to win one or even two seats in the European Parliament.
01:53 In this election, the party is just testing the waters before standing in Germany's federal
01:58 elections next year.
02:00 [BLANK_AUDIO]