Tension at the Ministry of Environment budget talks in the Turkish Parliament: 'Dishonorable' row erupts
Criticisms initiated by Minister of Environment Murat Kurum with a bottle of seawater he brought from the Gulf of İzmir created tension at the Turkish Parliament's Planning and Budget Committee. During the proceedings, a 'dishonorable' row broke out between CHP's Veli Ağbaba and AKP's Ejder Açıkkapı.
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At the Turkish Parliament's Planning and Budget Committee, while the 2025 budget of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change was being discussed, Minister Murat Kurum's remarks targeting the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality with a bottle of seawater he brought from the Gulf of İzmir sparked controversy.
Kurum stated, "It is the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality that does not treat İzmir's wastewater and discharges dirty water directly into the Gulf." Upon this, CHP's Veli Ağbaba reacted by saying, "Is İzmir affiliated with Greece?"
'DISHONORABLE' ROW BETWEEN AĞBABA AND AÇIKKAPI
As the argument escalated, a heated verbal duel took place between CHP Malatya MP Veli Ağbaba and AKP Elazığ MP Ejder Açıkkapı. After Ağbaba said to Açıkkapı, "You are a concrete contractor. Don't you do concrete business in Elazığ?", Açıkkapı accused Ağbaba with the words, "You are dishonorable, ill-mannered, and immoral." Ağbaba replied, "You are the one who is dishonorable and immoral. Watch your mouth, you ill-mannered person."
JOURNALISTS PREVENTED FROM FILMING
During the argument, an attempt by a parliamentary staff member to prevent journalists from filming also drew reactions from CHP MPs. The CHP deputies demanded that the official be removed from the room.
WARNING FROM COMMITTEE CHAIR MUŞ
Committee Chair Mehmet Muş warned the MPs who took the floor during the session to use a calmer and more respectful language, saying, "The citizens gave us all the necessary answer at the ballot box, please be calm." The meeting continued after a second break caused by the tensions.