Turkish lawmakers clash during budget debate

Members of Turkey’s National Assembly engaged in a mass brawl after failing to resolve disagreements during discussions on the 2026 state budget, Turkish media reported.

Before the vote, Mustafa Varank, a member from the ruling Justice and Development Party, and Mustafa Emir, deputy chairman of the opposition Republican People’s Party, got into a verbal altercation. This quickly escalated into a physical fight in front of the parliamentary podium, with other lawmakers joining in.

The 2026 budget bill was ultimately passed. 320 lawmakers voted in favor, while 249 voted against.