BELGRADE, Serbia — A volatile confrontation unfolded in Serbia’s parliament on Tuesday, resulting in injuries to at least three lawmakers, one of them seriously hurt. The disturbance, which involved the throwing of smoke bombs and flares, mirrors the escalating political strife in the Balkan nation.
The parliamentary session was initially planned for a vote on legislation to boost funding for university education. Opposition factions, however, accused the ruling majority of intending to pass multiple other measures without legal merit. They argued that parliament should first address the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and his cabinet.
Tensions reached a boiling point about an hour into the session. Opposition members employed whistles and unveiled a banner proclaiming, “Serbia has risen so the regime would fall!” Simultaneously, hundreds of opposition supporters demonstrated outside the parliamentary building.
Clashes erupted within the assembly hall, as seen in video footage, with projectiles such as smoke bombs and flares being thrown. Serbian media reported that eggs and water bottles also flew during the frenzy.
Officials confirmed that three individuals were injured, including lawmaker Jasmina Obradovic, who required hospitalization. In response, parliament speaker Ana Brnabic labeled the opposition as a “terrorist gang.”
Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic condemned the actions, calling them a “disgrace to Serbia.” “The vandalism of opposition MPs has exposed the nature of their personalities and the essence of their political agenda,” he stated.
President Aleksandar Vucic, known for his populist stance, visited Obradovic in the hospital, expressing support with an Instagram post featuring him by her bedside with the caption, “Jasmina will win, Serbia will win.”
This turmoil echoes a substantial political unrest in Serbia, marked by extensive anti-corruption protests challenging the populist regime. Prime Minister Vucevic resigned in January, amid public outrage following the deadly November collapse of a train station canopy in northern Serbia, attributed by critics to rampant corruption. Formal parliamentary acknowledgment of his resignation is still pending.
An increase in education funding has been among the primary demands of protesting students. Their demonstrations, persistent since the tragic canopy collapse on November 1 in Novi Sad, continue to pressure the government.
The opposition parties argue that the government lacks the mandate to enact new laws. Leftist lawmaker Radomir Lazovic stated their readiness to back the student-endorsed education bill but opposed the other legislative items on the assembly’s agenda.
Lazovic contended, “We can only discuss the fall of the government.” He advocated for a transitional government to ensure fair and free elections, a proposal repeatedly dismissed by the ruling populists.
Under President Vucic’s leadership, the Serbian Progressive Party has tightened its hold on power over the years, despite professing intentions to join the European Union. Many citizens attribute the deadly canopy collapse to negligent construction practices and ignored safety regulations, all stemming from systemic government corruption.
