Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Turkish MPs brawl in parliament during vote on constitutional change

Scuffles broke out between members of Turkey’s ruling AK party and the pro-Kurdish opposition party during a debate on whether politicians’ immunity from prosecution should be lifted.

Ryan Ramgobin
Tuesday 03 May 2016 09:35 EDT
Comments
Incredible scenes in the Turkish parliament

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Turkey’s parliament descended into chaos on Sunday during a debate on whether politicians’ immunity from prosecution should be lifted.

The law in its current form makes Turkish MPs immune from prosecution while in office.

The pro-Kurdish People’s Democratic Party (HDP) consider the constitutional change an attempt to stifle opposition voices against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Footage show party members diving over tables to trade blows with their counterparts.

It has been reported that several MPs left the meeting with “cuts to the lip and eyebrow”.

The vote had already been postponed due to clashes last week between AKP and HDP politicians over a vote to pass a migration deal with the European Union.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in