In an unexpected turn of events, chaos erupted on the floor of Congress in Mexico City as lawmakers clashed in a physical altercation captured on video. The footage, which quickly went viral, depicted female legislators from opposing parties engaging in a heated dispute that escalated from loud arguments to shoving and even hair-pulling, while their colleagues attempted to intervene.

The conflict unfolded amidst a contentious debate over reforms concerning Mexico City’s transparency oversight agency. The lawmakers from the National Action Party (PAN), known for their right-leaning stance, were seen staunchly defending their position at the podium. Meanwhile, members of the dominant Moreno Party, with a leftist orientation, endeavored to displace them, sparking the scuffle.

The altercation has drawn widespread attention and condemnation from both parties. Each side has been quick to point fingers at the other, accusing their opponents of instigating the confrontation. Despite the blame game, the incident underscores the intense political tensions currently at play in the Mexican legislative arena.

PAN representatives were holding their position at the podium as members of the Moreno Party tried to remove them, leading to the scuffle. Both parties condemned the violence after the incident, but blamed their opponents for starting it.

Mexican lawmakers were filmed shoving each other and pulling hair on the floor of Congress in Mexico City on Monday, December 15, 2025. (Mexican government)

“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.

“Not only is it vulgar, not only is it aggressive, but it is lamentable that this is the majority governing party for this city,” PAN lawmaker Daniela Alvarez added.

Mexican lawmakers from rival parties were caught on viral video shoving and pulling hair during a heated debate over transparency reforms in Mexico City Congress on Monday, December 15, 2025. (Mexican Government)

Morena spokesman Paulo Garcia made similar claims about conduct by PAN lawmakers.

“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 later said in an interview with Mexican media.