A session of Turkey's Grand National Assembly descended into chaos on its final scheduled day, as a heated debate over the national budget escalated into a full-blown physical brawl.
From Debate to Disorder
The altercation erupted between members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). The incident began when a fierce verbal argument broke out between two individual lawmakers, which quickly spiralled out of control. Other parliamentarians swiftly joined the fray, leading to a scene where punches were thrown and politicians aggressively pushed and shoved one another in the chamber.
Session Suspended Amid Chaos
The presiding official was forced to briefly suspend the parliamentary session in order to restore order. The suspension was a direct consequence of the inability to conduct proceedings safely amidst the fighting. This dramatic interruption highlighted the intense political divisions and high tensions surrounding the budgetary process.
Despite the unprecedented disruption, lawmakers eventually returned to the chamber after order was restored. In a stark contrast to the earlier violence, the assembly then proceeded to pass the 2026 national budget, completing the key legislative work that had been the source of such contention.
A Reflection of Deep Political Rifts
This incident is not an isolated event in Turkish political history, but it underscores the profound and often volatile disagreements between the country's leading political factions. The fact that the dispute turned physical on the final day of such a significant economic debate points to the severe pressure and high stakes involved in the parliamentary process in Ankara.
The event has drawn significant attention, with video footage of the brawl circulating widely, raising questions about decorum and the state of political discourse within the Turkish legislature.
