The Turkish parliament descended into chaos as lawmakers from the nation's ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and opposition members of the Republican People's (CHP) Party broke out into violence following a heated budgetary debate on Sunday.
The nation's Grand National Assembly has a track record for violence between opposing lawmakers, with major politically-fueled brawls occurring in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2024.
This weekend's melee revolved around a 2026 budget proposal, with lawmakers assembled on the final day of the legislative body's budget deliberations.
The violence soon erupted when ruling AK Party MP Mustafa Varank criticized opposition members and Chairman Özgür Özel of the Republican People's Party (CHP) for poor governance in the county's rural municipalities.
CHP Group Deputy Chairman Gökhan Günaydın then responded to the critique, accusing ruling party members of stirring controversy and “trying to hit rock bottom with polemics.”
The debate later escalated over the enduring legacy of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, when punches were thrown, reportedly injuring several lawmakers.
The fight lasted for a total of 10 minutes, while the subject of such harsh debate–next year's budget law proposal–ultimately passed with a 320 to 249 vote.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the leader of the AK, made no mention of the incident in parliament, but instead, praised the vote in a post on X, stating:
“I wish that the 2026 Central Government Budget Law Proposal, which was adopted in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey this evening, will be auspicious for our country, our nation and our economy.”
