Turkish lawmakers clashed physically in parliament on February 11, 2026, during the swearing in of a new justice minister. The incident stemmed from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s appointment of Akin Gurlek to the position.
The Brawl Unfolds
Opposition members from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) gathered around the speaker’s podium to block Gurlek from taking his oath. They shouted protests and called the nomination an attack on the rule of law. Ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) lawmakers formed a protective ring around Gurlek.
Tensions escalated quickly. Lawmakers pushed each other and threw punches, as shown in television footage. Security personnel intervened to restore order. Despite the chaos, Gurlek completed his oath amid the scuffle.
Background on Gurlek’s Appointment
Erdogan appointed Gurlek, the former Istanbul chief prosecutor, as part of a cabinet reshuffle. Gurlek replaced Yilmaz Tunc in the role. Additionally Erdogan named Mustafa Ciftci, the Erzurum provincial governor, as the new interior minister, replacing Ali Yerlikaya.
As Istanbul chief prosecutor since 2024, Gurlek oversaw high-profile trials against CHP members. He led a crackdown that resulted in hundreds of detentions. In November 2025, Gurlek filed a 4,000-page indictment against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, seeking over 2,000 years in prison for alleged corruption.
Opposition’s Strong Reaction
CHP lawmakers denounced the trials as politically motivated. However the government asserted that the judiciary operated independently.
Ozgur Ozel, the CHP leader, stated, “We will not surrender… They cannot stop our march to power.” He described Gurlek’s appointment as continuing a “judicial coup attempt.”
Broader Political Context
The reshuffle marked Erdogan’s first cabinet change since the 2023 elections. Meanwhile it occurred amid discussions on constitutional reforms and a potential peace initiative with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. The opposition viewed the moves as efforts to consolidate power.
