Serbian parliament meeting disrupted by throwing of flares and smoke bombs

Serbian Parliament began its spring session on Tuesday (March 4th) with chaos erupting as lawmakers inside the chamber threw flashbangs, smoke bombs, and released tear gas, resulting in at least three lawmakers being injured.

According to Euronews, opposition party parliament members ignited and threw flashbangs in the parliamentary premises leading to a violent clash that left several people injured.

A video circulating online showed multiple individuals throwing flashbangs, while others ignited red and black smoke bombs during the tumult, with a lawmaker unfurling a long banner as the scene quickly became engulfed in a haze of smoke and confusion.

The Speaker, Ana Brnabic, urged the lawmakers on scene to resume proceedings, criticizing the opposition’s protest in parliament and their use of tear gas. Brnabic stated, “Your color revolution has failed. This country will continue to exist, operate, and prevail.”

Reports indicated that the parliament was scheduled to vote on legislation to increase funding for higher education on Tuesday, but the opposition insisted that the meeting was illegal and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and his government.

The opposition aimed to obstruct the outgoing government from passing a series of laws at the eleventh hour. Vucevic resigned as prime minister in January following a tragic incident in November 2024 when a roof collapse at a train station in northern Serbia claimed the lives of 15 people. The authorities faced massive protests post-incident, with critics attributing the event to rampant corruption issues.

It is reported that a Chinese state-owned enterprise undertook the maintenance project related to the train station. According to United Press International (UPI), nearly every day, hundreds of thousands of Serbian citizens gather to block main roads or take other actions. Following the events on Tuesday, protesters once again congregated in front of the capital’s parliament building attempting to stage roadblocks and other protests.