Brawl erupts in Turkish parliament during 2026 budget debate

A physical altercation broke out between lawmakers in the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Monday during a heated debate over the 2026 central government budget.

The scuffle involved deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). The tension escalated as parliamentarians discussed the 2026 fiscal projections and the 2024 final accounts report.

Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş was forced to declare a recess to restore order after the confrontation turned into a punch-up between opposing factions. Such incidents highlight the deep political polarization in Ankara as the government seeks approval for its economic roadmap.