The founder of WikiLeaks website, Julian Assange has revealed that he intends to run for a senator seat in federal elections in Australia in 2013 and plans to create a Wikileaks political party.
Assange, who is 41 years old, said his plan to create a Wikileaks party is “significantly advanced” and has received the backing from some “respectable people” of his country, according to The Guardian in the Thursday’s online page .
In an interview with Fairfax Media, he said his party will promote transparency in government and its policies and will fight against the increasing number of violations of privacy.
Assange said that he can register as a voter abroad either in New South Wales or in Victoria, and will take a “strategic decision” in a short time about the state where he would run for Senate.
Assange, who was born in Queensland, is in Ecuador Embassy in London, since June, where he took refuge trying to avoid extradition to Sweden, which wants to investigate him for allegations of rape and sexual assault. He was granted political asylum by Ecuador, but can’t leave the embassy as the UK wants to extradite him to Sweden. He said he would go to Stockholm if the Swedish government offers guarantees that it will not extradite him to the United States.
“They’re squatting on the front door demanding the identity of everyone who comes in. It’s an outrageous violation of diplomatic practice,”
Assange said. He added that it’s just a matter of time for the US to drop the Wikileaks espionage investigation.
Julian’s father has started working on the foundation of the new party. WikiLeaks Party needs 500 voting members for the registration with the Australian Electoral Commission. If Assange will be elected for Senate but can not return to Australia to accept it, the seat will be given to a nominee.
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