A major physical altercation erupted in Turkey's Grand National Assembly on February 11, 2026, during the swearing-in ceremony for new Justice and Interior Ministers Akin Gürlek and Ali Yerlikaya, as opposition MPs attempted to block the proceedings. Videos showed lawmakers shoving, punching, and falling over desks, halting the session amid shouts and chaos that lasted over 20 minutes.
CHP and other opposition parties protested Gürlek's past controversial rulings, including Gezi Park cases, accusing him of judicial politicization under President Erdogan. Ruling AK Party MPs defended the appointees, framing disruptions as anti-democratic tactics. Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş adjourned the assembly temporarily, with security intervening to separate factions. No serious injuries reported, though several MPs received minor bruises and one opposition figure claimed a dislocated shoulder.
The incident underscores deepening rifts ahead of March local elections, with opposition decrying Erdogan's control over judiciary appointments. AK Party officials called for unity, while critics online dubbed it "parliamentary wrestling." The ceremony resumed later under heavy security, completing the oaths. Public reaction split along partisan lines, boosting calls for political reform.
