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Ahmed Dogan, the founder and former honorary chairman of Bulgaria's Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS), has announced plans to establish a new political entity.
He described this initiative as a continuation of DPS's original mission: to protect the rights of minorities and all Bulgarian citizens, to engage in genuine political participation, to uphold ethnic peace, and to safeguard Bulgaria's state sovereignty.
Dogan criticizes Delyan Peevski, who has taken control of the DPS, accusing him of lacking political legitimacy and ideological consistency.
Dogan alleged that Peevski has used undemocratic methods, such as threats, pressure, and institutional control, to seize leadership of the party.
To facilitate the creation of the new formation, Dogan has initiated a three-month transitional period.
During this time, several central councils will convene to establish a democratic process for forming the new entity.
The leadership of this transitional phase will be managed by a Chairman's Council under Dogan's guidance, with European Parliament member Ilhan Kucuk serving as its head.
Ahmed Demir Dogan was born on March 29, 1954, in Pchelarovo, Dobrich Province, in Bulgaria.
He pursued higher education and graduated in philosophy from Sofia University in 1981, earning a PhD in philosophy in 1986.
In the mid-1980s, Dogan became involved in the Turkish National Liberation Movement in Bulgaria, which was later dismantled by the Bulgarian State Security following his arrest.
In 1990, Dogan founded DPS, a liberal political party representing the Turkish minority in Bulgaria, and served as its leader until 2013.
His leadership ended after an assassination attempt during a DPS congress, after which Lyutvi Mestan succeeded him.
In June 2025, the parliamentary group associated with Dogan officially adopted the name “Alliance for Rights and Freedoms” (APS), following a decision by the Bulgarian parliament to disallow the use of the DPS acronym.
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