Serbian opposition lawmakers threw smoke grenades and tear gas inside parliament on Tuesday to protest against the government and support demonstrating students, with one legislator suffering a stroke during the chaos.
Opposition lawmakers disrupted a session in Serbia’s national assembly by throwing smoke grenades, halting proceedings to confirm Prime Minister Milos Vucevic’s resignation and debate laws to address months of anti-government protests. The chaos led to a brawl, injuring at least three deputies, one of whom was hospitalized in serious condition, according to Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic.
During Tuesday’s session, opponents of President Aleksandar Vucic and the ruling party also used pepper spray and hurled bottles at cabinet ministers, Brnabic, a Vucic ally and former prime minister, reported. The protests, initially led by students and now joined by teachers, farmers, and others, have grown into the most significant challenge to Vucic’s decade-long rule. Many Serbians are expressing frustration over government corruption and incompetence.
At the legislative session, after the ruling coalition led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) approved the agenda, some opposition politicians ran out of their seats towards the parliamentary speaker and scuffled with security guards.
Others tossed smoke grenades and tear gas, with live TV showing black and pink smoke inside the parliament, which has also witnessed brawls and throwing of water in the decades since the introduction of multi-party democracy in 1990.
Ana Brnabic Speaker of the house in this session explained that two lawmakers were injured, and one of them Jasmina Obradovic of the SNS party suffered a stroke while being in critical condition. “The parliament will continue to work and to defend Serbia,” she told the session.
Lawmakers in the ruling coalition debated as the session continued, while opposition lawmakers whistled and blew horns. Opposition deputies also held signs reading “general strike,” and “justice for the killed”, while outside the building protesters stood in silence to honour 15 people killed by a railway station roof collapse that was the spark for the protest movement.
