AKP's Osman Gökçek threw a punch: Striking statement from Mahmut Tanal regarding the brawl in Parliament

Yesterday, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) witnessed extraordinary events during a swearing-in ceremony held following the appointment of Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek to the Ministry of Justice. The reaction of CHP deputies to Gürlek's appointment to the ministry escalated tensions with AKP deputies. Deputy Mahmut Tanal was injured after receiving a blow to his nose during the scuffle. It was learned that Tanal, who received initial treatment at the Parliament's infirmary, would later be kept under observation at the hospital.

CHP Şanlıurfa Deputy Tanal made important allegations regarding the behind-the-scenes of yesterday's events in a statement he posted on his social media account. Tanal emphasized that the change of the duty deputy speaker in Parliament was the clearest indication that the events were organized and planned.

Tanal stated, "Yesterday, while the duty deputy speaker of the Parliament was Pervin Buldan, a change of duty was made and Bekir Bozdağ was brought to the position of deputy speaker. Even this change is a clear indication of how planned and organized the process was. It is noteworthy that Bekir Bozdağ has been assigned to processes where the most controversial and unlawful acts and transactions have been signed in Parliament to date. He also took part in the unlawful transaction that took place yesterday as part of the organization," he said.

Expressing his views on the tension following the events, Tanal stated that the TBMM should always be a place for consensus and negotiation, not for debate or fighting. Tanal said, "The scenes that emerged in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey have not pleased any of us. The Grand National Assembly of Turkey should be a parliament of negotiation, not of fighting. However, the attacks on our republic, our democracy, and the Republican People's Party in Turkey have been the final straw.

Therefore, the appointment of those who manage these attacks to the most important and distinguished ministries of the country has wounded the public conscience. Occupying the podium is not an action taken for the first time in this Parliament. Moreover, it dates back many years. In the past, the parliamentary podium was occupied many times by former representatives of those who claim to be in Parliament today as representatives of the National View (Milli Görüş). This is a form of action evaluated within the framework of democratic tolerance," he said.

'IT IS THE AKP THAT PHYSICALLY OCCUPIED THE PODIUM'

Tanal continued as follows:

"However, in yesterday's incident, contrary to what was reflected to the public, it was not the Republican People's Party group that first physically occupied the podium. While our Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir was moving towards the podium, AKP deputies collectively and simultaneously ran to close off the area around the podium, placing the podium area under blockade. Thus, the first move that physically occupied the podium was carried out by the AKP group. The tension that occurred is the result of this organized attitude.

Yesterday, while the duty deputy speaker of the Parliament was Pervin Buldan, a change of duty was made and Bekir Bozdağ was brought to the position of deputy speaker. Even this change is a clear indication of how planned and organized the process was. It is noteworthy that Bekir Bozdağ has been assigned to processes where the most controversial and unlawful acts and transactions have been signed in Parliament to date. He also took part in the unlawful transaction that took place yesterday as part of the organization.

In such an environment, the fact that Parliament Speaker Bekir Bozdağ invited the Minister of Justice to the podium, which had been physically blocked, instead of suspending the proceedings in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, caused the events to escalate further.

I was subjected to a systematic attack during this process. I leave it to the conscience of the public that it is not difficult to predict what would happen if Osman Gökçek and Mahmut Tanal were left face to face alone. We were facing an intervention planned with many people. During this time, various images emerged after I lost my balance, partly due to those holding me.

I have worked selflessly to defend and preserve the basic principles of democracy and the Atatürk Republic in Turkey. I will continue to work selflessly from now on.

Let it be known that Turkey is a country too great to let those who carry out these attacks, whether inside or outside, get away with it. We will always continue to stand by democracy and the Republic, to defend these values, and to fight for these values to the end.

With these thoughts, I greet the public with my respects."

The scenes that emerged in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey have not pleased any of us. The Grand National Assembly of Turkey should be a parliament of negotiation, not of fighting. However, the attacks on our republic, our democracy, and the Republican People's Party in Turkey have been the final straw…

— Av.Mahmut TANAL (@MTanal) February 12, 2026