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.

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.