14.04.2026 23:10
During the discussions of the DEM Party's motion regarding the minimum wage in the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, an argument occurred between DEM Party Istanbul MP Kezban Konukcu and AK Party MPs. In response to AK Party Kars MP Adem Çalkın's statements, "Every speaker comes up here and turns to the AK Party benches to lecture us. Don't be insolent, you rude person," Konukcu reacted by saying, "I am not like the women you know."
The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT) convened under the presidency of Deputy Speaker Pervin Buldan.
TENSION RISES DURING MINIMUM WAGE DISCUSSIONS
During the discussions of the Parliamentary Research Proposal submitted by the DEM Party to investigate steps to be taken to reduce the impact of inflation on minimum wage earners, an argument occurred between DEM Party Istanbul MP Kezban Konukcu and AK Party MPs.
Taking the floor on the proposal, Konukcu stated that half of the working population in Turkey makes a living on or below the minimum wage, saying, "A wage that should actually be an exception has unfortunately become the average wage in our country." Noting that workers have to work under precarious conditions and for long hours, Konukcu said, "They are forced to work for minimum wage under harsh conditions, with working hours reaching up to fourteen, being exposed to workplace murders, and at the expense of cheapening women's labor."
When Konukcu's speech was interrupted by remarks from the AK Party benches, her warning, "Oh, for God's sake, talk outside! And you're talking right at the front, this is too much, really friends," caused the tension to rise in the General Assembly.
"IT HAS BECOME A HABIT FOR YOU TO LECTURE THE AK PARTY GROUP"
AK Party Kars MP Adem Çalkın responded to Konukcu's warning with the words, "This has become a habit for you. Every speaker comes up here, turns to the AK Party benches and lectures us, you should know your place." As the mutual exchanges continued, Konukcu said, "You can't talk here like this, just sitting. Go talk in the back," while Çalkın persisted with his objection, saying, "Address the General Assembly, don't be so insolent to us again."
"I AM NOT LIKE THE WOMEN YOU KNOW"
During the continuation of the argument, upon Çalkın's statement "Don't be insolent, rude," Konukcu reacted from the rostrum. Konukcu responded to Çalkın, "You are the rude one. Who are you to call me 'rude'? Why are you shouting from there, huh! You cannot shout at a woman like that. You can never call me 'rude'. I am not like the women you know either."
KONUKCU'S CALL TO WOMEN MPs: ISN'T YOUR HONOR BEING VIOLATED?
The argument continued despite Deputy Speaker Buldan's warning not to say "rude." During the argument, Konukcu also addressed the women MPs on the AK Party benches, asking, "You say something too. As a woman, why isn't your honor being violated? Can such a thing happen, friends?" AK Party Düzce MP Ayşe Keşir responded to this call by saying, "Why are you picking on everyone?"
Konukcu continued her words, "You are doing this on purpose to distract the rostrum. We are talking about the problems of workers and laborers here, we are submitting a proposal about the minimum wage. Just as you don't solve the people's problems, from here 'blah, blah, blah'. Enough already!"