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Screengrab taken from video provided by RTS Serbia smoke bombs and flares are released in parliament, in Belgrade Alamy Stock Photo
Belgrade
Watch: Several Serbian MPs injured as opposition disrupts parliament with flares and tear gas
Serbia has been rocked for months by student-led anti-corruption protests following the fatal collapse of a train station roof last year that killed 15 people.
At least three Serbian MPs were injured today after chaos erupted in Serbia’s parliament, where smoke bombs and flares were thrown.
Serbian opposition lawmakers lit flares and discharged suspected tear gas during the opening day of the spring session of parliament, in a sign of support for ongoing anti-corruption protests.
Footage shared online showed opposition members holding colourful flares and throwing what appeared to be smoke cannisters during the legislative session.
Chaos in the Serbian parliament as the prime minister resigns. Opposition deputies threw smoke grenades in the chamber.
— Bloomberg TV (@BloombergTV) March 4, 2025
PM Milos Vucevic is stepping down after months of anti-government protests in the Balkan country https://t.co/ixRFvqkKEF pic.twitter.com/4pBFAST8fC
Politicians were scheduled to vote on a law that would increase funding for university education, but opposition parties insisted the session was illegal and should first confirm the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and his government.
Serbia has been rocked for months by student-led anti-corruption protests following the fatal collapse of a train station roof last year that killed 15 people.
The movement has put increasing pressure on the Serbian government and President Aleksandar Vucic, spurring the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including the prime minister in January.
Today’s session was the first since Vucevic stepped down, where they were set to formalise his resignation.
The parliament was also set to debate a new higher education bill that would slash tuition fees for university students – a demand of the protesters.
A live video feed showed parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabic lambasting the opposition’s protest and use of “tear gas” in the assembly, saying: “Your colour revolution has failed, and this country will live, this country will work and this country will continue to win.”
In chaotic scenes, the parliamentary speaker said plans would go ahead to vote on the legislation, after opposition members launched their protest and threw eggs and water at members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.
“Do you defend students’ demands like this?” said Brnabic during the session.
Melee
The speaker later said that multiple MPs were injured during the melee.
Opposition lawmakers also waved Serbian flags and held signs saying: “Your hands are bloody and “Fulfil students’ demands!”
The collapse of the station roof in Novi Sad in November followed extensive renovations to the building.
It ignited long-simmering anger in the country over corruption and the alleged lack of oversight for construction and development projects.
Vucic and other government officials have oscillated between calling for talks and firing off allegations that the demonstrators are being backed by foreign powers.
To quell the protests, the government has sought to meet several of the student organisers’ demands.
Those steps have included releasing a raft of documents related to the renovations at the station; pardoning protesters arrested at rallies; boosting funding for higher education; and launching criminal proceedings against suspects accused of attacking demonstrators.
VIDEO: 🇷🇸 Serbia opposition disrupts parliament with flares, suspected tear gas
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 4, 2025
Lawmakers carried out the protest on the opening day of the spring session of parliament, in a sign of support for an ongoing, student-led anti-corruption movement#AFPVertical pic.twitter.com/0ncMMeggTx
Outside parliament, student protesters also rallied as the session opened, where they held 15 minutes of silence in tribute to the victims of the Novi Sad accident.
The protest comes just days after thousands demonstrators flocked to the southern Serbian city of Nis over the weekend, during the latest in a series of mass demonstrations.
Protests have called for another large rally to be held in the capital Belgrade on 15 March.
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