A chaotic scene unfolded in Turkey as parliamentarians clashed violently during the swearing-in ceremony of Akin Gurlek as the new Minister of Justice. Gurlek, who was previously the chief prosecutor in Istanbul, has been noted for his unparalleled crackdown on opposition party leaders, particularly targeting the main opposition party, the Republican People's Party (CHP). This has sparked considerable outrage and condemnation from opposition figures, with many viewing his appointment as political maneuvering by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Since taking the position of chief prosecutor in 2024, Gurlek has spearheaded a series of arrests and indictments against CHP, including investigations into Istanbul's mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, a prominent political rival of Erdogan who has been incarcerated since March of the previous year. The allegations against Imamoglu, detailed in a substantial 4,000-page indictment last November, suggested he led a sprawling corruption network, resulting in a call for a staggering prison term of over 2,000 years. These developments have ignited large-scale protests across Turkey, marking the most significant upheaval in a decade.

The situation in Turkey is emblematic of the ongoing tensions between the governing authorities and the opposition, with the recent clashes during the ceremony signaling escalating political fractiousness. With the first court hearing in Imamoglu's case approaching, the political atmosphere remains charged, and societal unrest could potentially intensify as opposition groups mobilize in response to what they perceive as a systematic effort to undermine democratic processes and political opposition under Erdogan’s regime.