A legislative debate in Mexico City took an unexpected and violent turn on Monday when a group of female lawmakers from opposing parties physically clashed during a session broadcast live on television. The confrontation, which erupted over a procedural dispute, quickly spiralled into chaos as legislators were seen shoving, slapping and pulling each other’s hair in front of shocked colleagues and viewers.
The fight broke out between members of the right-wing National Action Party known as PAN and legislators from Morena, the left-leaning movement that holds the majority in the capital’s assembly. Videos of the chaotic scene have since gone viral across social media, prompting widespread criticism over the conduct of public officials and reigniting debate about growing polarisation in Mexican politics.
Dispute over legislative procedure
According to reports from local media, the incident began when a group of PAN members approached the main podium of the Congress of Mexico City to protest what they claimed was a breach of internal rules by the Morena-led majority. The disagreement reportedly centred around decisions related to the city government’s transparency oversight agency, an issue that had already provoked tense exchanges during earlier discussions.
Witnesses said that as PAN legislators attempted to occupy the podium in symbolic protest, Morena lawmakers rushed forward, demanding they leave. Verbal sparring escalated within seconds into a physical confrontation. Television footage captured the moment several women exchanged slaps and pulled each other’s hair while others shouted in confusion.
Security staff and other members of the chamber tried to separate the fighting legislators, but the struggle carried on for nearly a minute before calm was restored. The scene left papers scattered across desks and visibly stunned lawmakers standing by in silence as the session was temporarily suspended.
Scenes of commotion go viral
Clips of the altercation spread rapidly online, drawing millions of views within hours. The footage, circulated widely by viewers and news outlets, shows at least five legislators from both Morena and PAN engaged in the scuffle. In one particular sequence, a group of Morena representatives appears to physically remove their counterparts from the dais, while members from the opposition party resist attempts to drag them away.
The imagery of elected officials engaging in such behaviour has triggered ridicule, concern and condemnation in equal measure across Mexico’s political spectrum. Social media users described the fight as evidence of “moral decay” in politics, while others mocked it as symptomatic of a broader culture of partisanship and confrontation that has grown more entrenched in recent year.
This is a real video of a Mexico City Congress session on Monday.
Legislators can be seen shoving each other and pulling hair at the podium.
The opposition party did this to physically block voting on the budget.
What a complete mess and embarrassment.
(apnews on TT) pic.twitter.com/JvcVxHs1wu
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) December 16, 2025
Political reactions follow the fracas
Shortly after order was restored in the chamber, both parties issued statements blaming one another for the confrontation. A spokesperson for the National Action Party accused Morena lawmakers of “resorting to aggression” after the opposition attempted what they described as a peaceful protest.
“We took the podium peacefully, without touching anyone,” said Andres Atayde, an aide to the PAN representatives, during a press conference held later that evening. “The majority group and its allies chose violence as their response to dissent, showing a complete lack of respect for democratic debate.”
Daniela Alvarez, one of the PAN legislators involved in the altercation, condemned the majority party’s behaviour as unbecoming of public officials. “It is vulgar, aggressive and deeply lamentable that this is how the governing party of our city conducts itself,” she told reporters.
Morena defends its members’ actions
Representatives from Morena, however, disputed this account and accused the opposition of intentionally disrupting the session. Morena officials claimed that the PAN legislators’ decision to seize the podium obstructed legislative proceedings and amounted to political theatre designed to attract media attention.
According to Morena’s version, the physical confrontation only began after repeated requests for the opposition members to vacate the podium were ignored. Party allies defended their actions by arguing that they had a duty to protect the dignity of the legislature and prevent further disorder.
Once calm returned, the Morena majority proceeded with the ongoing debate while the opposition delegation left the assembly hall in protest. Local news reports later confirmed that several official proceedings continued in the absence of the PAN representatives.
Broader implications for Mexican politics
This latest episode of confrontation in Mexico’s capital legislature has reignited a national discussion about the tone and behaviour of public figures in political life. Analysts said the incident reflects the increasingly fierce rivalry between Morena, associated with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s populist agenda, and the more conservative PAN, which has accused the ruling movement of intolerance toward dissent.
Political commentators also warned that the altercation could harm faith in democratic institutions at a time when Mexico faces rising tensions ahead of national elections. The spectacle of female legislators who are often celebrated for helping to make Mexico’s parliament one of the most gender-balanced in the world, engaging in physical violence was viewed by many as particularly damaging to the public image of women in politics.
Calls for accountability and decorum
Civic groups and independent lawmakers have urged disciplinary proceedings against those involved, arguing that such behaviour violates both the ethical and legal standards expected of elected representatives. The leadership of the Congress of Mexico City has pledged to review the incident and determine whether sanctions are appropriate.
Meanwhile, the footage continues to circulate online as a striking reminder of Mexico’s volatile political climate. What began as a debate over administrative oversight has now turned into a symbol of deepening division in the country’s political discourse, one fought not only with words but, embarrassingly, with fists and hair-pulling in the nation’s capital.
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