Belgrade: Serbia’s parliament saw chaos on Tuesday as opposition lawmakers threw smoke grenades and tear gas in the chamber. They were protesting against the government and showing support for student-led demonstrations. Dozens of lawmakers clashed as flares and eggs were thrown inside the assembly. Security guards struggled to control the situation as tensions escalated. Some MPs held banners reading, “Serbia rises up to bring down the regime.”
Growing Unrest
The violent scenes reflect a dramatic escalation in Serbia’s ongoing political crisis. Protests have swept the country for four months. They started after a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad in November. The disaster killed 15 people, fueling public outrage and anti-government sentiment. Many believe shoddy construction caused the deadly collapse.
Widespread Protests
The tragedy turned into a rallying point for critics of President Aleksandar Vucic. Protesters accuse his government of corruption and negligence. What began as vigils has evolved into daily demonstrations across Serbia. Large crowds gather in cities nationwide, demanding government accountability. Opposition MPs joined the protests, bringing disruption to the parliament.
Parliament Clashes
Inside the chamber, lawmakers lit flares and threw smoke bombs. Others confronted security personnel, leading to physical altercations. The session was disrupted as the room filled with smoke. Outside, demonstrators observed 15 minutes of silence for the 15 victims. Protesters held signs reading, “Justice for the killed.”
Government Response
The Vucic administration has struggled to contain the unrest. Officials have dismissed the protests as foreign-backed attempts to destabilize Serbia. At the same time, they have promised reforms to calm public anger. Critics say the government is using both intimidation and concessions. However, these tactics have not stopped the growing movement.
Prime Minister’s Resignation
Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned in January to ease tensions. His departure was seen as a way to shift blame from Vucic. However, protesters view it as a political tactic, not real accountability. They insist the government must take full responsibility for the disaster. Many refuse to accept Vucevic’s resignation as a sufficient response.
Political Maneuvering
The resignation was supposed to be confirmed during Tuesday’s parliamentary session. However, opposition MPs disrupted the proceedings before a vote could take place. Lawmakers also planned to discuss 62 other agenda points that day. A key issue was the potential dismissal of Speaker Ana Brnabic. The chaotic scenes prevented meaningful discussions on any of these matters.
Lawmaker Suffers Stroke
Amid the turmoil, lawmaker Jasmina Obradovic suffered a stroke. She was taken to a hospital for urgent medical care. Prime Minister Vucevic later visited her in the hospital. He expressed confidence that she and Serbia would overcome this crisis. The incident added to the tensions gripping the nation.
Speaker’s Response
Speaker Ana Brnabic condemned the opposition MPs for disrupting parliament. She called them “terrorists” and vowed that parliament would not be intimidated. Despite the disturbances, lawmakers attempted to resume the session. However, opposition MPs continued to whistle and blow horns. The disruption made it impossible to proceed with discussions.
Deepening Crisis
The ongoing protests mark the biggest challenge to Vucic’s leadership in years. His government has faced criticism for corruption and lack of transparency. Many Serbians believe the Novi Sad tragedy exposed deep failures in governance. The opposition is using this moment to push for significant political change. The coming weeks will be critical in determining Serbia’s political future.
