Turkey’s parliament descended into disorder on Wednesday as tempers flared over President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s latest Cabinet reshuffle. Lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition benches confronted each other in a dramatic altercation that briefly halted proceedings.
At the center of the uproar was Erdogan’s decision to appoint Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akin Gurlek as the country’s new Justice Minister — a move that opposition figures argue carries significant political implications.
Opposition Attempts To Block Swearing-In
Members of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) sought to prevent Gurlek from formally assuming office, pointing to his role in overseeing high-profile cases involving opposition leaders. The protest quickly spiraled into physical confrontation, with MPs pushing and striking one another on the chamber floor, reported NDTV.
Despite the resistance, Gurlek proceeded to take the oath of office. He was surrounded and protected by members of the ruling party as tensions simmered inside the legislature.
The chaotic scenes underscored the widening rift between Erdogan’s government and opposition groups, who have repeatedly accused authorities of using the judiciary to target political rivals.
Controversy Over Past Prosecutions
Gurlek’s tenure as Istanbul’s chief prosecutor has long drawn criticism from opposition circles. In March last year, he issued an arrest warrant for Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent CHP figure. For critics, Gurlek’s elevation to the Justice Ministry signals continuity in a prosecutorial approach they consider politically charged. Supporters within the ruling alliance, however, maintain that legal actions were carried out in accordance with the law.
A brawl erupted at the Turkish Parliament after lawmakers from the ruling party and the opposition clashed over the appointment of Istanbul Chief Prosecutor Akin Gurlek to the Justice Ministry.
Legislators were seen pushing each other, with some hurling punches. Gurlek was later… pic.twitter.com/oGwGYZH1dg
— Vani Mehrotra (@vani_mehrotra) February 12, 2026
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Broader Cabinet Changes & Political Timing
The reshuffle also saw Mustafa Ciftci, governor of Erzurum province, appointed as Interior Minister. Authorities did not provide detailed reasons for the leadership changes, reported Yahoo News. The Official Gazette stated that the outgoing ministers had “requested to be relieved” of their duties.
The developments unfold at a sensitive juncture for Turkey. Lawmakers are currently deliberating constitutional amendments and engaging in discussions aimed at reviving peace efforts with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), seeking to bring an end to decades of violence.
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