AKP deputy reacts to DEM Party member with 'don't be insolent, you are rude': I am not like the women you know

The General Assembly convened under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker of Parliament Pervin Buldan. Before the deliberations on the bill proposing amendments to the Social Services Law, the DEM Party's motion regarding the investigation of problems faced by minimum wage earners was discussed.

Taking the podium, DEM Party Istanbul MP Kezban Konukcu stated that half of the working population in Turkey is trying to survive on the minimum wage, saying, "Unfortunately, a wage that should actually be an exception has become the average wage in our country." Emphasizing that workers are employed in precarious and harsh conditions for up to 14 hours a day, Konukcu had to pause her speech due to voices rising from the AKP benches.

"For God's sake, talk outside"

Turning to the AKP deputies who were not listening to her and were talking among themselves, Konukcu warned them, saying, "For God's sake, go talk outside! And you are sitting in the very front row talking, this is really too much, friends."

Following this warning, tension in the General Assembly rose instantly. AKP Kars MP Adem Çalkın responded to Konukcu, saying, "This has become a habit for you. Every speaker comes up here, turns to the AKP benches and tries to lecture us; you should know your place."

As the verbal sparring escalated, Konukcu said, "You cannot sit there and talk like that. Go talk in the back," while Çalkın shouted, "Address the General Assembly, do not be this insolent to us again."

Çalkın's "rude" outburst and Konukcu's sharp response

As the argument intensified, things reached a breaking point when AKP's Çalkın shouted at Konukcu on the podium, "Don't be insolent, you are rude." Konukcu responded to Çalkın in very harsh terms:

"You are the rude one. Who are you to call me 'rude'? Why are you shouting from over there! You cannot shout at a woman like this. You can never call me 'rude'. I am not like the women you know."

Konukcu to AKP female deputies: Isn't your honor being damaged?

Despite Deputy Speaker of Parliament Pervin Buldan's warnings not to use the word "rude," the argument did not subside. Konukcu then addressed the female deputies on the AKP benches, asking, "You say something too. As a woman, why is your honor not being damaged? Can such a thing happen, friends?"

When AKP Düzce MP Ayşe Keşir responded to this call by saying, "Why are you picking on everyone?", Konukcu concluded her remarks as follows:

"You are doing this on purpose to distract the podium. We are talking about the problems of workers and laborers here, we are submitting a motion regarding the minimum wage. Instead of solving the nation's problems, you are here going 'blah, blah, blah...' Enough is enough!"

News Source: 12punto