The Turkish National Assembly plenary session turned into a “boxing ring” with punches and kicks exchanged between lawmakers. The shocking scenes occurred during the swearing-in ceremony of Akin Gurlek as Justice Minister and Mustafa Cifci as Interior Minister, amid confrontations between CHP and ruling AKP parliamentarians, at the same time that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis was in Ankara for his meeting with Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Istanbul prosecutor Akin Gurlek came to the plenary session to be sworn in as Justice Minister, and Erzurum governor Mustafa Cifci to assume the Interior Ministry. The CHP argued that Gurlek could not be sworn in because he had not resigned from his position as prosecutor general. The AKP countered that the procedure was constitutional. Assembly Vice President Bekir Bozdag stated that there was no procedural irregularity.
🚨 #SONDAKİKA | Akın Gürlek’in yemin töreninde Mahmut Tanal’a yumruklu saldırı!https://t.co/WCE2rMef81 pic.twitter.com/r5umrx67jv
— Halk TV (@halktvcomtr) February 11, 2026
Turkish parliament: Violent brawl with punches between lawmakers
After Bozdag’s invitation for Gurlek to come to the podium to be sworn in, CHP lawmakers began protesting and occupied the platform. AKP parliamentarians also moved toward the area, resulting in a scuffle around the podium.
During the tension, AKP Ankara lawmaker Osman Gokçek punched CHP Sanliurfa parliamentarian Mahmut Tanal. According to reports, Tanal was injured in the nose and suffered bleeding.
TBMM’de yumruklu kavga! Akın Gürlek’in yemin töreninde CHP’liler kürsüyü işgal etti…#AkınGürlek #Kürsüİşgali #CHP #TBMM #SONDAKİKA https://t.co/GAyuhOoEKZ pic.twitter.com/9OHrVTqPGA
— Haber İskelesi (@haberiskelesi) February 11, 2026
Swearing-in ceremony amid tension
Despite the confusion and objections, Akin Gurlek was sworn in amid the tension, with AKP lawmakers forming a circle around him. Immediately after, Mustafa Cifci also took the podium and was sworn in in a similar manner.
