During the opening day of Serbia’s spring parliamentary session, opposition lawmakers lit flares and discharged tear gas to support ongoing anti-corruption protests linked to the tragic collapse of a train station roof that killed 15 people. Parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabic criticized the protests, claiming the opposition’s “colour revolution” had failed. The session aimed to formalize the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and debate a bill to reduce university tuition, a key demand of the protesters. Amidst chaos, one lawmaker suffered a stroke, prompting a police investigation into the protests, which continue to gain momentum with student activism.
Belgrade:
On Tuesday, Serbian opposition lawmakers ignited flares and released what was suspected to be tear gas during the opening of the spring session of parliament, demonstrating their support for ongoing anti-corruption protests.
Videos circulating online depicted opposition members waving vibrant flares and tossing what seemed to be smoke canisters as the session began its review of the legislative agenda.
A live broadcast featured parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabic criticizing the opposition’s demonstration and their reported use of “tear gas” within the assembly.
“Your color revolution has failed, and this country will thrive, this country will progress, and this country will keep winning,” she asserted.
For months, Serbia has experienced student-led protests against corruption, triggered by the tragic collapse of a train station roof last year that resulted in 15 fatalities.
This movement has intensified pressure on the Serbian government and President Aleksandar Vucic, leading to the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including the prime minister in January.
Tuesday’s session marked the first since Prime Minister Milos Vucevic’s resignation, where formalizing his departure was on the agenda.
The parliament was also scheduled to discuss a new higher education bill aimed at reducing tuition fees for university students—a key demand from the protesters.
In a tumultuous atmosphere, the speaker announced plans to proceed with a vote on the legislation after opposition members initiated protests, throwing eggs and water at members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.
“Is this how you support students’ demands?” Brnabic asked during the session.
Opposition lawmakers waved Serbian flags and displayed signs stating: “Your hands are bloody” and “Fulfill the students’ demands!”
Melee
The speaker later reported that several MPs were injured amidst the chaos.
Serbia’s Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar relayed that one lawmaker had been hospitalized in intensive care following a stroke.
Hours later, additional chaos erupted in parliament as a fire extinguisher was used, flares were ignited, and smoke canisters were deployed.
Belgrade’s public prosecutor’s office announced that it had instructed police “to establish the pertinent facts and collect all available evidence to identify those who brought and utilized pyrotechnic devices” and to determine others who had thrown objects during the session.
The collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad in November occurred after extensive renovations on the structure.
This incident triggered long-held frustrations within the country regarding corruption and perceived inadequacies in oversight for construction and development projects.
Vucic and other government officials have alternated between calling for negotiations and making claims that foreign influences are backing the protesters.
In efforts to diffuse the protests, the government has aimed to address several demands put forth by student organizers.
Measures taken have included releasing numerous documents related to the renovations at the station; pardoning protesters who were arrested at rallies; increasing funding for higher education; and initiating criminal proceedings against those accused of assaulting demonstrators.
Outside of parliament, student protesters gathered as the session commenced, observing 15 minutes of silence in honor of the victims of the Novi Sad tragedy.
University students have taken a leading role in the protest movement, blockading campuses throughout the country for several weeks.
However, student protesters have distanced themselves from forming a formal alliance with Serbia’s fragmented political opposition.
The protests come in the wake of thousands of demonstrators gathering in the southern city of Nis over the weekend, marking the latest in a series of mass demonstrations.
Protesters have announced plans for another large rally to take place in the capital, Belgrade, on March 15.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)