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Over Mayor's Dismissal.. Physical Clash Between Turkish Interior Minister and Opposition MPs
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Violence in Turkish Parliament Reveals Political Tension Between Government and Opposition Amid Rising Dismissals of Opposition Mayors
A violent confrontation erupted in Turkey's parliament hours ago when Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya attempted to enter the assembly hall to discuss his ministry's budget. Republican People's Party (CHP) MPs blocked him, protesting their party member's mayoral dismissal weeks ago.
The situation escalated into a physical fight between opposition representatives and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) supporters near the hall entrance, forcing budget discussion postponement, according to T24 news site.
CHP MP Ali Mahir Başarır notably attempted to prevent Yerlikaya's entry before other parliamentarians intervened to break up the scuffle, as shown in news agency footage.
Opposition MPs declared during the confrontation: "You rejected our presence in Esenyurt municipality, we reject your presence in parliament," in a recurring scene over controversial issues between ruling alliance and opponents.
CHP MPs protest elected Esenyurt Mayor Ahmed Özer's removal, with hundreds demonstrating early November against Interior Ministry's dismissal decision citing contact with Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
CHP leader Özgür Özel rejected his party member's dismissal as a "coup against democracy," similar to previous removals of pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) mayors, now renamed DEM Party.
Early November, the Interior Minister dismissed three additional southeastern mayors from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, including Mardin, Batman, and Halfeti mayors.
Levant-Al Arabiya
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