Tensions ran high in Turkey's parliament on Dec. 8 during talks for the 2022 budgets of the Interior Ministry and Industry and Technology Ministry.
Brawls erupted throughout the day and the deputies engaged in fist fights twice. Both fights were triggered by Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu.
Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Erkan Aydın was giving a speech in parliament on Dec. 8 when he asked Soylu why he used a plane belonging to a shady businessman accused of money laundering. Aydın also showed a picture of the minister on the plane, prompting Soylu to slam the deputy.
While the first fist fight took place after Soylu called main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Erkan Aydın a "liar," the second erupted after CHP Group Deputy Chair Özgür Özel criticized the minister for not responding to the questions asked by opposition lawmakers.
The minister was infuriated due to protests against him in parliament, which saw HDP deputies putting up banners that read, "Minister of Crime."
Opposition deputies have been insistently asking the minister questions on Turkish mafia leader Sedat Peker's allegations, as well as his ties to Sezgin Baran Korkmaz, a shady business tycoon currently under arrest in Vienna over money laundering.
Although various lawmakers proved Peker's allegations right with documents, Soylu has been refraining from answering questions and chooses to yell or accuse the opposition of supporting terrorism instead.
Turkey's parliament is no stranger to brawls, with almost all talks getting marred by fights. Last month, several brawls erupted during budget talks in parliament, mostly in those including Soylu.
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