A debate at Mexico City’s congress descended into a brawl Monday as lawmakers pulled their hair, exchanged punches and pushed each other across the stage after an opposition protest against the city’s transparency institute erupted into chaos.
Video footage from the chamber showed the dispute turning violent within seconds, with lawmakers lunging at each other while others stood back and filmed the fight.
Reuters reported that the fight broke out during a debate over the dissolution of Mexico City’s transparency institute.
The clash started when one woman grabbed another’s hand, prompting the second woman to pull her hand back and jab her in the stomach with an elbow.
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A debate in Mexico City over the city’s transparency institute descended into a chaotic brawl as lawmakers pushed, punched and filmed each other, forcing the session to move. (Handout for the Congress of Mexico City)
The first woman retaliated by punching her in the back and then grabbed the other woman’s hair as the scuffle escalated.
A man stepped in and tried to pry her hand away, but more lawmakers rushed forward as the push spread across the stage.
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A debate in Mexico City over the city’s transparency institute descended into a chaotic brawl as lawmakers pushed, punched and filmed each other, forcing the session to move. (Handout for the Congress of Mexico City)
Several women were seen pushing and struggling as bystanders picked up their phones to capture the chaos.
Lawmakers from the opposition National Action Party had taken over the conference stage to protest the measure at the center of the debate.
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Pictured: An aerial view of Mexico City on September 8, 2016, Mexico. (Frédéric Soltan/Corbis via Getty Images)
The opposition accused Morena – the ruling party – of violating an agreement to create a new transparency body, leading to the podium occupation.
The session fell apart as shouting escalated and rival groups clashed across the room.
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The meeting was eventually suspended and moved to another location so lawmakers could resume deliberations, local media reported.
Reuters contributed to this report.
