A violent brawl erupted in Turkey’s parliament on February 11, 2026, as opposition lawmakers clashed with ruling party members over the appointment of a controversial new justice minister, Akın Gürlek, in a cabinet reshuffle by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, highlighting deepening political tensions.
The confrontation began when legislators from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) attempted to block Gürlek from approaching the podium to take the oath of office, leading to a physical melee with members of Erdoğan’s Justice and Development Party (AK Party). Lawmakers were seen pushing each other, throwing punches, and some even removed their shoes during the scuffle, which CNN Turk described as scenes that ‘will be remembered for a long time.’ The session was briefly suspended for 15 minutes to restore order before resuming, allowing Gürlek to take the oath surrounded by AK Party lawmakers.
Akın Gürlek, previously Istanbul’s chief prosecutor since 2024, has overseen high-profile prosecutions against CHP officials, including Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Erdoğan’s most prominent political rival. İmamoğlu was arrested in March 2025 and remains in custody, facing a 4,000-page indictment filed by Gürlek in November 2025 that accuses him of 142 offences related to corruption and organized crime, seeking a prison sentence exceeding 2,000 years. The opposition and human rights groups have denounced these cases as politically motivated, while the government insists on judicial independence.
During the brawl, CHP lawmaker Mahmut Tanal suffered a broken nose, and property inside the parliamentary chamber was damaged, underscoring the intensity of the conflict. The incident reflects broader frustrations within the opposition, which has long criticized Erdoğan’s government for using the judiciary to target rivals and suppress dissent, amid nationwide protests that erupted after İmamoğlu’s arrest.
The cabinet reshuffle also included the appointment of Mustafa Çiftçi, governor of Erzurum province, as interior minister, replacing Ali Yerlikaya, with no official reason given for the changes. This move comes as Turkey debates possible constitutional reforms and advances a peace initiative with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), aimed at ending decades of conflict, with parliament expected to approve related reforms soon.
CHP leader Özgür Özel condemned Gürlek’s appointment as a continuation of a ‘judicial coup attempt’ and vowed that his party would not surrender, stating that fair political competition no longer exists in Turkey. The government has not explained the reshuffle, but the Official Gazette noted that the outgoing ministers ‘requested to be relieved’ of their duties, adding to the opacity of the decision-making process.
The brawl has drawn sharp criticism from international observers and human rights organizations, who warn of eroding democratic norms and increasing authoritarianism in Turkey. As political polarization deepens, such incidents threaten to further destabilize the country’s governance, complicating efforts to address economic challenges and security issues while undermining public trust in institutions.
Looking ahead, the fallout from this event may intensify opposition mobilization and influence upcoming parliamentary debates on constitutional reforms and the Kurdish peace process, with potential implications for Turkey’s domestic stability and international relations.
