WATCH Serbian opposition throwing smoke grenades in parliament

Lawmakers threw smoke bombs and flares inside the national legislature on Tuesday, causing injuries

A session of Serbia’s parliament briefly descended into chaos on Tuesday when opposition MPs set off smoke grenades and tear gas to protest against the government, causing serious injuries.

As the spring session kicked off on Tuesday, tensions flared when the ruling coalition, led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), approved the legislative agenda. Some opposition politicians rushed from their seats toward the speaker’s chair, resulting in a scuffle with security guards.

Parliament was set to adopt a law increasing funds for universities – one of the main demands of students protesting since December. Additionally, a debate on the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic was scheduled. However, opposition MPs argued it was improper to adopt bills proposed by a government whose prime minister had already resigned.

Vucevic announced his resignation in January following weeks of anti-government demonstrations over alleged corruption and negligence. The unrest was fueled by public outrage over the collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station in November 2024, which killed 15 people. Vucevic claimed the protests were being orchestrated from abroad to stage a coup d’etat.

Live television footage on Tuesday showed black and pink smoke filling the chamber, with opposition MPs also throwing water and eggs toward the podium.

Despite the deafening noise, Speaker Ana Brnabic pushed ahead with the session. She condemned the opposition for wasting eggs, arguing they could have fed hundreds of families.

Three female lawmakers were injured, including 64-year-old Jasmina Obradovic of the SNS party, who suffered a stroke and remains in critical condition. “The woman is fighting for her life after you threw a flashbang at her,” Brnabic told opposition MPs. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic reportedly later visited Obradovic in the hospital.

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Another MP, Sonja Ilic, who is eight months pregnant, felt unwell due to the noise and smoke. MP Jasmina Karanac suffered a head injury after being hit by a firecracker.

Public protests began in the northern city Novi Sad last November and have since spread to the capital Belgrade, primarily led by students. Classes at dozens of university faculties and schools have been canceled due to student boycotts.

Vucic has accused the country’s opposition of collaborating with foreign intelligence agencies to destabilize the country, describing the protests as an attempt at a “color revolution.” He has specifically claimed that a coalition of Western, Croatian, and Albanian interests is working “to destroy Serbia from within,” and vowed that the government has no intention of giving up.

Following Tuesday’s incident, people gathered outside the parliament building, blocking a major avenue in Belgrade. Media reports indicate that protest leaders have called for a large rally in the capital on March 15.