Parliaments around the world communicate dissent in various ways. In some cases, yelling is enough. Elsewhere, ministers express themselves with fistfights, kicking, elbowing, gouging eyes, spraying tear gas, and throwing things (including eggs, chairs, microphones…).
In Jordan, after a heated debate, one MP wanted to shoot another but was not allowed to bring his AK-47 into the parliamentary chambers. (And he, or perhaps someone else, seems to be wielding a knife.) He was ordered out into the hall, where he fired a shot, the noise of which interrupted a speech.
Well, there are limits to what will be tolerated. As shown in the video below, an emergency meeting was held, after which one member announced, “Some are suggesting to sack the member of parliament who did that.”
Violence in the US Congress was once fairly common, as a recent book documents. If the political culture grows any more polarized, could it return?
What kinds of things might Americans throw at each other?
Below is a small selection of videos showing parliaments in action around the world. But the last one is from America, featuring not a parliamentary brawl, but a heated conversation among politicians. No one brought an AK-47 to the meeting, but the power of rudeness was on display.
Jordan
MP tried to shoot another with an AK-47 — may be sacked.
09/11/2013 (1:12)
Ukraine
What a squirming mass!
12/13/2012 (1:30)
Uganda
Get an ambulance!
09/28/2017 (2:58)
Georgia
Boys will be boys!
12/26/2014 (1:30)
India
They start throwing things at about 1:15 on the tape.
07/2150 (2:32)
Israel
Vice President Mike Pence is booed in the Knesset.
01/22/2018 (1:04)
Japan
MPs quickly explode into action that includes women.
09/17/2015 (1:52)
Kosovo
Tear gas this time!
11/19/2015 (1:52)
Taiwan
Just water balloons?
07/19/2017
Turkey
Watch out for angry Turks coming from above!
05/03/2016 (1:41)
USA
Shouting match between Trump, Pelosi, and Schumer.
(10:30) 12/11/2018
Related front page panorama photo credit: Adapted by WhoWhatWhy from LOC.
