Brawl erupts in parliament after HDP deputy deems AKP 'enemy of Kurds'

Duvar English

A brawl has erupted in parliament after Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Hüseyin Kaçmaz deemed the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) an "enemy of Kurds."

During talks on a bill to regulate social media on July 29, Kaçmaz gave a speech, in which he pointed to the civilian losses in Iraqi Kurdistan because of Turkish airstrikes.

He then turned to the AKP seats and said, "You are the enemy of Kurds."

Tension rose in parliament immediately, with a row erupting between HDP and AKP deputies, prompting Deputy Parliament Speaker Nimetullah Erdoğmuş to give a break to the session.

The argument continued during the break and HDP deputies said that AKP lawmaker Oya Eronat insulted Kaçmaz.

Following the start of the session, Erdoğmuş said that he will put giving a penalty of condemnation to Eronat to vote, which was later rejected.

AKP Group Deputy Chair Naci Bostancı then claimed that Kaçmaz's remarks were insulting and Eronat's attitude should be seen as a reaction.

He also argued that Eronat's remarks were against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and not Kaçmaz himself.

The session ended following the approval of the social media bill and parliament will reconvene on Oct. 1.

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