A brawl broke out inside Mexico’s Congress on Monday as lawmakers from rival political parties shoved one another during a legislative dispute in Mexico City.
Video from the chamber shows multiple female lawmakers gathered at the podium as a verbal argument escalated into pushing and hair-pulling. Other members of Congress are seen attempting to separate those involved as the melee continued for several moments before order was restored.
The fight occurred during debate over proposed reforms to Mexico City’s transparency oversight agency. Members of the National Action Party (PAN), a right-wing opposition party, had taken control of the podium in protest. Lawmakers from the governing Morena Party attempted to remove them, leading to the physical confrontation.
PAN officials said their lawmakers occupied the podium peacefully and accused Morena legislators of initiating the violence. Both parties later condemned the altercation while assigning blame to their opponents.
“We took the podium peacefully, without touching anyone, and the decision made by the majority legislative group and its allies was to try and regain control of the board through violence,” PAN aide Andres Atayde said at a press conference following the incident, according to a translation from the Economic Times.
PAN lawmaker Daniela Alvarez also criticized the conduct inside the chamber. “Not only is it vulgar, not only is it aggressive, but it is lamentable that this is the majority governing party for this city,” she said.
Morena representatives disputed that account and said PAN lawmakers were responsible for escalating tensions. Party spokesman Paulo Garcia accused the opposition of using physical tactics rather than engaging in debate.
“What worries us a lot is how the opposition is systematically resorting to violence instead of arguments, in the absence of being able to debate,” Garcia said in comments to Mexican media.
No injuries were reported following the incident. It remains unclear whether disciplinary measures will be taken against any of the lawmakers involved. The altercation briefly halted proceedings in the chamber before debate resumed. The proposed transparency reforms remain under consideration.
Video from the chamber shows multiple female lawmakers gathered at the podium as a verbal argument escalated into pushing and hair-pulling. Other members of Congress are seen attempting to separate those involved as the melee continued for several moments before order was restored.
The fight occurred during debate over proposed reforms to Mexico City’s transparency oversight agency. Members of the National Action Party (PAN), a right-wing opposition party, had taken control of the podium in protest. Lawmakers from the governing Morena Party attempted to remove them, leading to the physical confrontation.
PAN officials said their lawmakers occupied the podium peacefully and accused Morena legislators of initiating the violence. Both parties later condemned the altercation while assigning blame to their opponents.
“We took the podium peacefully, without touching anyone, and the decision made by the majority legislative group and its allies was to try and regain control of the board through violence,” PAN aide Andres Atayde said at a press conference following the incident, according to a translation from the Economic Times.
PAN lawmaker Daniela Alvarez also criticized the conduct inside the chamber. “Not only is it vulgar, not only is it aggressive, but it is lamentable that this is the majority governing party for this city,” she said.
Morena representatives disputed that account and said PAN lawmakers were responsible for escalating tensions. Party spokesman Paulo Garcia accused the opposition of using physical tactics rather than engaging in debate.
“What worries us a lot is how the opposition is systematically resorting to violence instead of arguments, in the absence of being able to debate,” Garcia said in comments to Mexican media.
No injuries were reported following the incident. It remains unclear whether disciplinary measures will be taken against any of the lawmakers involved. The altercation briefly halted proceedings in the chamber before debate resumed. The proposed transparency reforms remain under consideration.
