A chaotic scene unfolded in Serbia's parliament as opposition lawmakers launched smoke grenades and tear gas inside the chamber while protesting against the government.
According to CNN, three members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) were injured during the melee, including a pregnant woman, with one lawmaker suffering a stroke.
The dramatic escalation marks a significant turning point in the ongoing student-led protest movement that has paralyzed the Balkan nation. The demonstrations, which began after a deadly railway station collapse in November, have evolved into the most substantial challenge to President Aleksandr Vucic's 12-year leadership.
Railway tragedy sparks nationwide unrest
The protests originated from a tragic incident at a railway station in Novi Sad, where a collapsing canopy claimed 15 lives. Many citizens believe the structure's failure resulted from rushed construction work by questionable subcontractors. The incident has become a potent symbol of alleged corruption within the Serbian government.
Opposition lawmakers expressed their solidarity with protesters by holding signs demanding justice for the victims. Outside the parliament building, demonstrators observed 15 minutes of silence, commemorating each life lost in the Novi Sad tragedy.
The Vucic administration has responded inconsistently to the growing protest movement. Government officials have alternated between dismissing the demonstrations as foreign-orchestrated schemes and adopting a more conciliatory stance with promises of reform.
Political crisis deepens amid leadership changes
Parliament had gathered to confirm Prime Minister Milos Vucevic's resignation, announced in January as an attempt to ease political tensions. However, protesters viewed this move skeptically, considering it another of Vucic's tactical maneuvers to deflect responsibility.
Speaker Ana Brnabic addressed the disruption with strong words. She said, "Serbia's parliament will not back down."
The parliamentary session, which was meant to address 62 agenda items, including Brnabic's potential dismissal, struggled to continue as opposition members persisted with their protest using whistles and horns.
Prime Minister Vucevic later visited Jasmina Obradovic, the lawmaker who experienced a stroke during the chaos. He shared his thoughts on social media about the incident and expressed confidence in both Obradovic's and the nation's recovery.
Future of Serbian democracy hangs by a thread
The unprecedented parliamentary disorder represents an intensification of the four-month protest movement that has unified diverse segments of Serbian society. The demonstrations have spread beyond the capital to reach every region of the country.
During the parliamentary session, opposition members unfurled banners with messages opposing the current administration. The chamber descended into further chaos as lawmakers engaged in physical confrontations with security personnel while smoke filled the room.
These events highlight the deepening political crisis in Serbia as the opposition employs increasingly dramatic tactics to challenge the government's authority and legitimacy.
Where Serbia stands amid growing tension
The Serbian parliament witnessed an extraordinary display of civil disobedience as opposition lawmakers disrupted proceedings with smoke grenades and tear gas, leading to multiple injuries, including a stroke suffered by one ruling party member.
The incident occurred during a crucial session meant to address Prime Minister Vucevic's resignation and Speaker Brnabic's potential dismissal, reflecting the intensifying political crisis that began with the Novi Sad railway station tragedy in November 2024. The ongoing protests, initially sparked by the deaths of 15 people in the structural collapse, have evolved into a broader movement challenging President Vucic's leadership and alleged corruption within his administration.
