The final day of the state budget debate in Turkey’s National Assembly turned chaotic on Sunday night, as deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) engaged in a fistfight during the session.

🇹🇷A fight broke out in the Turkish parliament during a vote on the budget

The scuffle began after a clash between MPs from the CHP and the AK Party and quickly escalated into a mass brawl.

Despite the incident, the central government budget bill for 2026 was ultimately passed. pic.twitter.com/3MHGf5TjS3

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 22, 2025

Tensions erupted during the budget vote, with the physical altercation lasting about ten minutes and forcing Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş to suspend proceedings. Security personnel struggled to remove the deputies involved in the brawl.

Despite the disruption, the Assembly later approved the Central Government Budget for 2026 with 320 votes in favor and 249 against. The 2024 Budget Act was also passed by a vote of 316 to 247.

How the conflict began

Reports indicate the clash started after a verbal confrontation between the AK Party’s MP, Mustafa Varank and CHP deputy parliamentary group leader Engin Özkoç.

From the podium, Varank addressed the opposition benches, saying, “Bring your party leader forward; he should not be afraid of me. Fortunately, our nation is well aware of Özkoç’s record. Farmers living in cities governed by CHP municipalities are still waiting for the free tractors that Özkoç promised.”

Özkoç’s response was immediate and sharp, accusing the ruling party of “hitting rock bottom with such polemics” and “systematically slandering CHP-run municipalities.”

📹 Fists Fly in Turkey’s Parliament as Budget Vote Sparks Physical Clash pic.twitter.com/o67mhTzWrl

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When CHP deputy group leader Ali Mahir Başarır stood up to protest, tensions escalated quickly. The verbal exchanges turned into shoving, and then punches were thrown between MPs from both parties.

Several deputies rushed to the center of the chamber as chaos erupted around the benches. Security personnel and other MPs struggled to separate those involved. The clashes continued even during the session’s adjournment.

At the time, both CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli were present in the hall but did not intervene immediately.