Clashes at Turkish Parliament As Opposition Attempts To Block Justice Minister's Oath | Video

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 06:59 IST

Lawmakers at Turkey’s parliament came to blows as opposition MPs tried to block the swearing-in of Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akin Gurlek as justice minister.

A physical altercation broke out in Turkey’s parliament on Wednesday after lawmakers from the ruling party and the opposition clashed over the appointment of a controversial figure as justice minister in a Cabinet reshuffle.

The confrontation unfolded as opposition legislators attempted to prevent Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akin Gurlek, appointed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, from taking the oath of office in the Turkish Grand Assembly.

As tensions escalated, lawmakers were seen pushing and shoving one another, with some exchanges turning into punches.

Gurlek’s appointment to head the Justice Ministry has drawn strong objections from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

During his tenure as Istanbul’s chief prosecutor, Gurlek presided over several high-profile cases involving members of the CHP.

The opposition has consistently criticised those proceedings as politically motivated.

Despite attempts by opposition members to block the swearing-in, Gurlek ultimately took the oath, surrounded by lawmakers from the ruling party who formed a protective cordon amid the turmoil in the chamber.

The reshuffle also saw President Erdogan appoint Mustafa Ciftci, governor of the eastern province of Erzurum, as interior minister.

The government did not provide a specific explanation for the changes.

According to the Official Gazette, the outgoing ministers had “requested to be relieved" of their duties.

The developments come at a time of heightened political sensitivity in Turkey.

The country is currently debating potential constitutional reforms and is advancing a peace initiative with the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), aimed at ending a conflict that has spanned decades.

Parliament is expected to adopt reforms intended to support that process.

Political tensions have been mounting in recent months, particularly between the government and CHP-led municipalities.

Hundreds of officials from municipalities governed by the opposition have been arrested as part of corruption investigations.

Among those detained was Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, widely regarded as Erdogan’s principal political rival, who was arrested last year.

The government has repeatedly maintained that Turkey’s judiciary operates independently and has rejected accusations of political interference.

However, opposition leaders argue that legal proceedings targeting their members reflect broader political pressure.

News world Clashes at Turkish Parliament As Opposition Attempts To Block Justice Minister's Oath | Video

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