Disorder broke out in the parliament of Serbia on Tuesday when opposition members triggered smoke grenades and tear gas in protest against the government and in solidarity with protesting students.
Reports indicate that at least three lawmakers sustained injuries, one of them in critical condition due to a stroke, intensifying the already high political tensions in this Balkan nation that serves as a crucial juncture between Southeast and Central Europe.
Footage captured inside the parliamentary chamber depicted an initial confrontation among legislators followed by the hurling of flares and smoke bombs. According to Serbian media, eggs and water bottles were also thrown. Meanwhile, outside the parliament building, hundreds of supporters from the opposition gathered to demonstrate during the session.
Serbian opposition lawmakers let off smoke grenades inside the Serbian parliament in Belgrade, on March 4, 2025. (SERBIAN PARLIAMENT POOL / VIDEOPLUS/Handout via REUTERS)
But opposition parties said the ruling majority was also planning to approve dozens of other decisions. They said this was illegal and that lawmakers should first confirm the resignation of Vucevic and his government.
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 black and pink smoke rising inside the parliament, which has also witnessed brawls and the throwing of water in the decades since the introduction of multi-party democracy in 1990.
As the session continued, ruling coalition politicians debated 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 honor 15 people killed by a railway station roof collapse.
Parliament speaker Ana Brnabic accused the opposition of being a “terrorist gang.” The ruling coalition says Western intelligence agencies are trying to destabilize Serbia and topple the government by backing the protests.
Students walk on the road towards the northern city of Novi Sad on Jan. 30 to protest the deaths of 15 people killed in the November collapse of a train station canopy, near the Belgrade suburb of Batajnica, Serbia. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The government has tried to evade scrutiny by downplaying the government’s culpability in the collapse at the station. At first, the government tried to ignore the protests, then began to use force and accused the protests of being infiltrated by foreign agitators.
Some observers complained that the Vucic government’s failure to act and provide clear answers to the public is endemic to Serbia’s core institutional corruption.
Meanwhile, protest leaders called for a major rally in the capital Belgrade on March 15.
Fox News’ Chris Massaro, Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
