Ruling Justice and Development Party and main opposition Republican People's Party lawmakers scuffle at the parliament in Ankara during deliberations over a controversial 18-article bill to change the constitution to create an executive presidency January 11, 2017. Turkish lawmakers on Thursday approved three more articles in a hugely controversial bill bolstering the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as lawmakers brawled and threw objects in a session of high tension. A brawl erupted in the chamber as the voting took place in an overnight session, with lawmakers punching each another and chairs being thrown, television pictures showed. / AFP / - (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
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Brawl breaks out in Turkish parliament
00:46 - Source: CNN

Story highlights

Tensions are high in Turkey's parliament over a constitutional reform package

One ruling party lawmaker suffered a broken nose in the brawl, state media reported

Istanbul CNN  — 

Lawmakers in Turkey brawled during a debate over constitutional amendments that would expand presidential powers, according to state news agency Anadolu.

The fight broke out on Wednesday shortly after opposition lawmaker Özgür Özel told ruling party lawmakers “You are trying to destroy yourselves when the TV is off and nobody sees. We won’t let it happen,” according to Anadolu.

Lawmakers were debating ending “parliament’s authorization to inspect ministers and the Cabinet.”

Shortly after Özel comments, fellow members of the main opposition Republican People’s Party encircled the speaker’s rostrum with arms joined, occupying the area in protest.

The fight broke out soon afterward, according to Anadolu.

One senior lawmaker with the ruling Justice and Development (AK) party suffered a broken nose, according to the report.

Tensions run high

Despite the brawl, the measure was passed Thursday in the 550-member assembly, Anadolu said.

WARSAW, POLAND - JULY 08: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the Warsaw NATO Summit on July 8, 2016 in Warsaw, Poland. NATO member heads of state, foreign ministers and defense ministers are gathering for a two-day summit beginning today. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
WARSAW, POLAND - JULY 08: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends the Warsaw NATO Summit on July 8, 2016 in Warsaw, Poland. NATO member heads of state, foreign ministers and defense ministers are gathering for a two-day summit beginning today. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images

Related article Turkey's Erdogan is creating a new type of presidency

Violent outbreaks are uncommon in Turkey’s parliament but tensions are high over the 18-article constitutional reform package, which has been put forward by the governing AK party.

The government has said that if the measures are passed by parliament, they will lead to a public referendum on replacing the current parliamentary system with a presidential model, Anadolu said.

Thursday is the fourth day of debate on the package of amendments. Thirteen articles are still to be debated and voted on, according to the news agency.

Coup crackdown

Opponents of the proposed constitutional changes fear the changes will give too much power to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Since an attempted coup in July, Erdogan has led an intense crackdown on government critics and the militant Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, as well as those with alleged ties to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Turkey blames for the coup attempt.

Hundreds of military officers have been suspended, thousands of teachers have been dismissed, public servants sacked and media organizations shut down.

Journalist Onur Cakir reported from Istanbul and Laura Smith-Spark wrote from London.