Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

Country’s Lawmakers Brawl Amid Desperate Bid To Stop New Minister’s Rise

(Wikimedia Commons/Public/Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lawmakers in Turkey’s parliament exchanged punches Wednesday as opposition members tried to block President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s newly appointed justice minister from taking the oath of office.

Opposition legislators from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) tried to block Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akin Gurlek from taking his oath after Erdogan tapped him for the judicial post in a sweeping Cabinet reshuffle, The Associated Press reported. Video from the chamber showed lawmakers shoving one another, shouting across the floor, and throwing punches as tempers boiled over.

Gurlek built his reputation presiding over high-profile cases involving prominent CHP figures—proceedings the opposition has long blasted as politically driven. His promotion to justice minister immediately triggered accusations that Erdogan intends to tighten his grip on the judiciary at a time of heightened political tension.

A brawl broke out in Turkey's parliament as opposition lawmakers tried to block Justice Minister Akin Gurlek from taking his oath following his controversial appointment https://t.co/DXjjAujvCH pic.twitter.com/9QEUF07ZUa

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 11, 2026

Despite the scuffle, Gurlek ultimately took the oath of office flanked by members of the ruling party, who formed a protective ring around him on the chamber floor. Erdogan did not stop there. He also appointed Mustafa Ciftci, the governor of Erzurum province, as interior minister.

The Official Gazette reported that the outgoing ministers “requested to be relieved” of their duties, though officials offered no additional explanation for the abrupt overhaul, according to AP. The shake-up took place amid an escalating crackdown on municipalities controlled by the CHP.

Authorities have arrested hundreds of local officials in corruption investigations, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who is widely viewed as Erdogan’s most formidable political rival. He was taken into custody last year.

Government officials maintain that Turkey’s courts operate independently and reject claims of political interference. Parliament is expected to consider legislation tied to both efforts in the coming weeks, ensuring that Wednesday’s brawl may prove only the opening act in a broader political struggle over Turkey’s future direction.

This isn’t the first time a brawl erupted on the Turkish parliament floor, as video captured fists flying in 2024 after an opposition lawmaker called Erdogan’s party a “terrorist organization,” prompting AKP member Alpay Özalan to confront Workers Party lawmaker Ahmet Sik. The clash broke out during a debate over imprisoned Workers Party member Can Atalay.

Atalay is serving an 18-year sentence tied to his alleged role in the 2013 anti-government protests that challenged Erdogan’s rule.

(Featured Image Media Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Public/Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 4.0)