Georgian parliament candidates’ debate turns NASTY as it ends in FEROCIOUS fistfight

The rival pair representing the Democratic Movement and the Industrials political bloc came to blows after trading insults on Qvemo Kartli TV network ahead of next month’s elections.

Vepkhia Gurgenishvili, from the Democratic movement and Polad Khalikov, from the Industrials political bloc, had to be separated by the backstage crew after the debate turned violent. 

Mr Khalikov gestured to his opposition and asked why “this scum” had been invited onto the show alongside him.

He then threatened to smash a glass on his head which prompted Mr Gurgenishvili to stand up and throw a pen across the room at Mr Khalikov.

Undeterred by the thrown pen, an infuriated Mr Khalikov walked over to the other man and took an almighty swing at him. 

The pair managed to land several punches on each other people the network’s producers managed to separate them and drag them apart.

Instead of asking the pair to apologise to each other and continue a political debate, the producers decided they should end the discussion there.

The political landscape is heating up in Georgia, with elections just two weeks away on October 8.

This is not the first time a parliamentary debate has descended into a mass brawl.

Back in May, Turkey’s parliament descended into an all-out fistfight as MPs brawled across the benches during a fractious debate.

Ironically, it is believed that the fistfight was sparked by mention of a previous brawl, which took place in the previous week in the same chamber.