Turkish parliament brawl: five other political punch-ups

MPs came to blows in the Turkish parliament yesterday as rival lawmakers exchanged insults and punches for the second time over a controversial bill to increase police powers against protesters.

Members of the ruling Justice and Development party (AKP) and opposition parties clashed ahead of a debate on the proposed "Homeland security bill".

The scenes mirrored violence on Tuesday that left five deputies injured – including two who suffered head injuries after being attacked with a ceremonial gavel, The Guardian reports.

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This is not the first time MPs have shown themselves to be less than entirely honourable. Here are five other parliamentary fights from around the world that have been caught on camera:

Georgia

Boxing Day turned all too literal in the Georgian parliament last year, as a brawl broke out between opposition and ruling coalition MPs. The fight began after opposition member Akaki Bobokhidze’s swore in an address to ruling coalition MPs. Further insults and expletives were exchanged before the house descended into chaos.

Ukraine

Scuffles were not uncommon in the Ukrainian parliament under Viktor Yanukovych. In 2012, lawmakers broke into a fist fight after deputies rushed to block the parliament's rostrum following accusations that members of the ruling party had been voting on behalf of their absent colleagues.

Kenya

A sitting of the Kenyan National Assembly turned violent when MPs clashed over a controversial security laws amendment bill in December last year. Parliamentary speaker Justin Muturi was forced to adjourn for a half hour, but when MPs returned to the house, fist fights broke out.

South Korea

A brawl broke out in the Korean National Assembly in 2009 after the government passed three bills to reform the media industry. Opposition MPs blocked the Speaker from entering the chamber to pass the bills and clashes broke out between rival parties.

India

In 2012, the Indian parliament gathered to discuss a sensitive civil rights issue. After the house leader entered and called the meeting to order, members of a minority party rushed to the bench triggering a chaotic brawl.