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Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom is working on launching a political party in New Zealand.
Dotcom, who is accused by the U.S. of participating in a “mega conspiracy,” confirmed reports that he could launch a party that would run in the 2014 general election on Twitter.
“My embryonic NZ political plans leaked by whistleblower,” he tweeted over the weekend with a picture of a newspaper headline. “Still looking for partners. Not ready yet :-)”
PHOTOS: 6 Outrageous Kim Dotcom Moments
But although Dotcom holds New Zealand residency he would be unable to take up a seat in the NZ parliament himself, as he is still a German national.
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key dismissed Dotcom’s idea on New Zealand breakfast television, telling TV3 the party should be called the “no-hope party.”
“It’s all part of his campaign to stay in the country; it’s a nice idea,” Key said. “But it’s like everything we see from the guy. He wants to stay in New Zealand and fight his extradition. He has very good PR people, so lets see how this goes,” he added.
On Monday, Dotcom continued to tout the plans. “After the 2014 election I will get New Zealanders a new submarine cable, fair Internet pricing & no more data caps. #Gimme5Percent,” he said in a tweet that hinted at some of his focus issues in the election.
Full details about the party, its program vision and candidates will be announced on Jan. 20, 2014, Dotcom said on Twitter. The date will be two years after police raided his mansion outside of Auckland to look for evidence that he was involved in the biggest copyright infringement conspiracy in history.
Tweeted Dotcom: “The party website with information about our vision & candidates will launch with another BIG event on Jan 20, 2014. Second raid anniversary.”
He also tweeted at some point on Monday: “WOW! I’m getting so many encouraging messages about my plans for a new political party. Thank you. Like to help me? Email: twitter@kim.com.”
Dotcom’s move mirrors that of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, whose newly formed Wikileaks Party has candidates in each state of Australia vying for Senate seats in the Sept. 7 general election there.
Assange himself is looking to be elected as a senator for the state of Victoria. But its unclear what he’ll do if elected, as he is still living inside the Ecuadorian Embassy in London, after seeking asylum there amidst concerns he would be extradited to Sweden to face sexual assault charges if he attempts to leave.
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