Six of the best parliamentary brawls from around the world

A BRAWL broke out in the Ukrainian parliament yesterday during a debate over a bill which proposes to give the Russian language equal status to Ukrainian in some parts of the country.

Violent scuffles broke out between deputies loyal to Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and MPs from pro-Western opposition parties. But the Ukraine is not the only country where excited politicians have resorted to their fists to settle their differences. Here are six parliamentary scuffles from around the world.

SOMALIA, DECEMBER 2011A playground-style rumble erupted in Somalia's parliament over the election of a new speaker. MPs stabbed each other with pens, slapped and yelled, with four ending up in hospital.

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TAIWAN, MAY 2007Taiwan's parliament is renowned for descending into violence. On this occasion, members of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party became angry with the Speaker over questions about why the budget had been delayed. The house erupted into fisticuffs.

BOLIVIA, AUGUST 2007A mass fist fight erupted in the Bolivian parliament during a debate over whether or not to try judges on corruption charges. Water was thrown into the melee, while one man fought in full Bolivian garb.

INDIA, OCTOBER 1997Serious violence broke out in the Uttar Pradesh state legislature, culminating in members picking up microphone stands and using them as spears.

NIGERIA, JUNE 2010MPs' clothes were shredded during a brawl sparked by allegations that the Speaker was corrupt.

ARGENTINA, NOVEMBER 2010A disagreement over the budget turned sour after opposition MP Graciela Camano slapped another member, Carlos Kunkel, in the face before nodding curtly and walking swiftly away.