Major Brawl Erupts in Turkish Parliament as Lawmakers Trade Punches Over Judicial Appointment
A violent physical altercation broke out inside the Turkish parliament on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, creating chaotic scenes as lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition clashed over a controversial judicial appointment. The dramatic incident occurred during a heated parliamentary session and has since gained widespread attention as video footage of the brawl spread rapidly across social media platforms.
Controversial Judicial Appointment Sparks Parliamentary Chaos
The parliamentary brawl erupted following intense disagreements between government and opposition legislators regarding the appointment of Istanbul chief prosecutor Akin Gurlek as a judicial minister in a cabinet reshuffle. Opposition lawmakers attempted to block Gurlek from taking the oath of office, leading to escalating tensions that quickly turned physical.
As reported by multiple international news sources including The Times of India and CNBCTV18, the situation deteriorated rapidly when legislators began pushing each other, with some exchanging punches in full view of parliamentary cameras. The dramatic footage shows lawmakers engaging in physical confrontations on the parliament floor, highlighting the deep political divisions within Turkey's legislative body.
Viral Video Captures Parliamentary Violence
The violent confrontation was captured on video and has since gone viral across social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where users have shared and commented on the dramatic parliamentary scenes. The footage shows legislators trading blows and engaging in physical altercations that are highly unusual for a parliamentary setting, even in politically charged environments.
This incident represents a significant escalation in political tensions within Turkey's parliament, where verbal disagreements have occasionally occurred but rarely descended into full-scale physical violence. The brawl has raised concerns about the state of political discourse and decorum within the country's legislative institutions.
Background of Political Tensions
The parliamentary violence occurred against a backdrop of ongoing political tensions between Turkey's ruling party and opposition factions. The appointment of judicial officials has been a particularly contentious issue in recent years, with both sides accusing each other of attempting to influence the judiciary for political purposes.
The specific appointment of Istanbul chief prosecutor Akin Gurlek appears to have served as a flashpoint for these broader tensions, with opposition lawmakers viewing the move as particularly controversial and potentially damaging to judicial independence. The physical confrontation that ensued demonstrates how deeply these political divisions run and how quickly they can escalate into violence.
International observers have expressed concern about the incident, noting that physical violence among elected representatives undermines democratic processes and institutions. The brawl has drawn attention to the challenges facing Turkey's political system and the difficulties in maintaining civil discourse during periods of intense political polarization.
