Turkish parliament brawl: five other political punch-ups
Parliamentary brawls are not uncommon around the world – here are five of the most chaotic
MPs came to blows in the Turkish parliament yesterday as rival lawmakers exchanged insults and punches for the second time over a controversial bill to increase police powers against protesters.
Members of the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) and opposition parties clashed ahead of a debate on the proposed "Homeland security bill".
The scenes mirrored violence on Tuesday that left five deputies injured – including two who suffered head injuries after being attacked with a ceremonial gavel, The Guardian reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
This is not the first time MPs have shown themselves to be less than entirely honourable. Here are five other parliamentary fights from around the world that have been caught on camera:
Georgia
Boxing Day turned all too literal in the Georgian parliament last year, as a brawl broke out between opposition and ruling coalition MPs. The fight began after opposition member Akaki Bobokhidze’s swore in an address to ruling coalition MPs. Further insults and expletives were exchanged before the house descended into chaos.
Ukraine
Scuffles were not uncommon in the Ukrainian parliament under Viktor Yanukovych. In 2012, lawmakers broke into a fist fight after deputies rushed to block the parliament's rostrum following accusations that members of the ruling party had been voting on behalf of their absent colleagues.
Kenya
A sitting of the Kenyan National Assembly turned violent when MPs clashed over a controversial security laws amendment bill in December last year. Parliamentary speaker Justin Muturi was forced to adjourn for a half hour, but when MPs returned to the house, fist fights broke out.
South Korea
A brawl broke out in the Korean National Assembly in 2009 after the government passed three bills to reform the media industry. Opposition MPs blocked the Speaker from entering the chamber to pass the bills and clashes broke out between rival parties.
India
In 2012, the Indian parliament gathered to discuss a sensitive civil rights issue. After the house leader entered and called the meeting to order, members of a minority party rushed to the bench triggering a chaotic brawl.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'Another day of chaos in DC'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
6 scenic white water rafting destinations to get your heart racing
The Week Recommends Have a rip-roaring time on the water
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Puffed rice and yoga: inside the collapsed tunnel where Indian workers await rescue
Speed Read Workers trapped in collapsed tunnel are suffering from dysentery and anxiety over their rescue
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Gaza hospital blast: What the video evidence shows about who's to blame
Speed Read Nobody wants to take responsibility for the deadly explosion in the courtyard of Gaza's al-Ahli Hospital. Roll the tape.
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Giraffe poo seized after woman wanted to use it to make a necklace
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Helicopter sound arouses crocodiles
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Woman sues Disney over 'injurious wedgie'
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Emotional support alligator turned away from baseball stadium
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Europe's oldest shoes found in Spanish caves
Tall Tales And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Artworks stolen by Nazis returned to heirs of cabaret performer
It wasn't all bad Good news stories from the past seven days
By The Week Staff Published