'Bloody brawl' in Parliament leads to a first: 'Emergency Button' to be installed in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey

The administration of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) is continuing its preparations for the 2nd legislative year of the 28th term, which will open on October 1. Comprehensive cleaning, renovation, and maintenance work is being carried out throughout the Parliament. The sound system, which frequently malfunctioned due to brawls in the General Assembly, has been reviewed and faulty sections have been repaired.

Having shelved major renovation and construction projects due to austerity measures, the TBMM administration is carrying out various landscaping and maintenance work in both the main building and service buildings as part of preparations for the new term. Periodic maintenance is being performed in all rooms and halls, including government and opposition lobbies, group meeting rooms, MP offices, committee meeting rooms, and press conference halls. 

'EMERGENCY BUTTON' BEING ACTIVATED

According to a report by Önder Yılmaz from the Sabah newspaper, the TBMM Speaker's Office, taking action following bloody brawls in the General Assembly and cases of MPs suffering heart attacks, has activated the "emergency button" formula. According to this new measure, the deputy speakers presiding over the TBMM General Assembly will be able to summon 112 emergency service doctors from the Ceremonial Hall by pressing a red button placed on the Presidential Podium in the event that an MP falls ill or injuries occur during a brawl in the General Assembly.

DRILLS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED

Doctors will be in the General Assembly hall within one minute. It was learned that drills regarding the emergency button application have also been conducted. Before the Parliament closed, Kocaeli MP Hasan Bitmez suffered a heart attack while speaking at the podium and passed away at the hospital where he was taken. Additionally, serious injuries occurred in recent brawls.

The TBMM Speaker's Office has also increased the capacity of the medical team in the Ceremonial Hall due to growing needs. For potential emergencies in the new legislative year, the first aid center and 112 health station will continue their operations until General Assembly and committee meetings conclude.

STAIRS TO BE REMOVED AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE

The TBMM Speaker's Office also plans to remove the stairs in front of the Presidential Council, which have caused MPs to fall and get injured during brawls.

TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş stated, "An on-site inspection has been conducted for parts of the TBMM General Assembly that pose a risk, and work is underway on an arrangement that will ensure safety without compromising aesthetics." The stairs were most recently etched into memory when an MP fell and hit his head on them while suffering a heart attack at the General Assembly podium, and due to the bloody scenes that occurred during a brawl between MPs before the Parliament closed.