Danish parliamentarian Naser Khader stepped into the limelight during last year's clash over the Mohammed caricatures. An advocate of free speech and Muslim dialogue, he's now founded a new party against right-wingers.

Denmark's new party, Ny Alliance (New Alliance), has been stirring up the country's political landscape. Earlier this week, the party officially broke away from the social-liberal party Det Radikale Venstre under the leadership of Syrian-born parliamentarian Naser Khader.

 

"We feel politically homeless and believe that there are many others who feel the same way," said Khader.

 

Khader has gained in popularity since a Danish newspaper caused an international uproar by publishing caricatures of Mohammed in September 2005. He founded the Association of Democratic Muslims and advocated dialogue among Muslims themselves. He also appealed to the Danish people to differentiate between radical Muslims and those with democratic ideals.

 

For some observers, the time seems ripe for a shift toward the left. According to German Denmark expert Bernd Henningsen, Ny Alliance has the potential to "bring the country to its senses."