Smoke bombs and flares disrupted a parliamentary session in Serbia on Tuesday, resulting in injuries.
The session was thrown into turmoil as opposition members deployed smoke grenades and tear gas to protest the government’s actions, leading to injuries. As the spring session commenced, tensions rose when the ruling coalition, led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), approved the legislative agenda. Opposition politicians then moved towards the speaker’s chair, clashing with security.
Parliament was scheduled to vote on a law to increase funding for universities, a key demand of ongoing student protests. A debate on the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic was also planned. The opposition, however, argued that it was inappropriate to pass bills proposed by a government whose prime minister had already resigned.
Vucevic’s resignation announcement came in January, following weeks of demonstrations against alleged corruption and negligence, sparked by the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, which caused 15 fatalities. Vucevic has alleged that the protests were orchestrated by foreign entities seeking a coup.
Television footage showed black and pink smoke filling the parliament chamber, with opposition members also throwing water and eggs towards the podium.
Despite the disturbance, Speaker Ana Brnabic proceeded with the session, criticizing the opposition’s actions as wasteful.
Three female lawmakers were injured. Jasmina Obradovic, 64, from the SNS party, suffered a stroke and is in critical condition. Brnabic stated that Obradovic was fighting for her life after a flashbang was thrown at her. President Aleksandar Vucic reportedly visited Obradovic in the hospital.
Sonja Ilic, an MP who is eight months pregnant, felt unwell due to the smoke and noise. Jasmina Karanac sustained a head injury from a firecracker.
The protests originated in Novi Sad last November and have since expanded to Belgrade, primarily led by students. Classes have been suspended at numerous university faculties and schools due to student boycotts.
Vucic has accused the opposition of collaborating with foreign intelligence agencies to destabilize the country, calling the protests a “color revolution.” He has specifically claimed that Western, Croatian, and Albanian interests are working to undermine Serbia and has vowed that the government will not yield.
Following the incident, people gathered outside the parliament building, blocking a major avenue in Belgrade. Reports indicate that protest leaders have called for a large rally in the capital on March 15.
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