Brawl erupts in Turkish Parliament after MHP MP insults former HDP co-chair

A brawl erupted during budget talks in parliament after MHP deputy Olcay Kılavuz insulted former HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş.

Duvar English

A brawl erupted in parliament on Nov. 22 after far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy Olcay Kılavuz insulted former Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş.

"Selahattin Demirtaş is an undignified terrorist and filth," Kılavuz said, infuriating HDP deputies.

After a war of words during which everyone called each other a terrorist, the argument turned physical, prompting the session chair to give a ten-minute break.

The talks for the Interior Ministry's budget were held in a tense environment, mostly due to Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu's reluctance to answer questions about numerous allegations surrounding him.

Soylu, who chose to insult deputies rather than answer questions, called main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Ali Mahir Başarır "a poisonous snake."

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Topics Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu Ali Mahir Başarır HDP MHP Selahattin Demirtaş