Serbia On Brink: Opposition Deploys Smoke Grenades, Tear Gas In Serbian Parliament | VIDEO- wna24
Belgrade: Serbian opposition deputies took a dramatic stand against the government on Tuesday, unleashing smoke grenades and tear gas inside the parliament building. The chaos inside the Serbian parliament was a clear show of opposition to the government’s policies and a demonstration of support for protesting students. The unprecedented scenes were broadcast live, showcasing the escalating tensions within the Serbian government. A few videos of the incident also surfaced on social media, which went viral in no time.
The current unrest in Serbia was sparked four months ago when a train station roof collapsed, claiming the lives of 15 people. Since then, demonstrations led by students and opposition groups have gained momentum, posing the biggest threat yet to the Serbian government. The ruling coalition, led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), has faced intense criticism for its handling of the crisis.
During Tuesday’s legislative session, opposition politicians stormed out of their seats, charging towards the parliamentary speaker and clashing with security guards. The situation quickly spiralled out of control as smoke grenades and tear gas were deployed, filling the parliament building with black and pink smoke. Speaker Ana Brnabic confirmed that two lawmakers were injured in the melee, including Jasmina Obradovic of the SNS party, who suffered a stroke and remains in critical condition.
The parliament had been scheduled to adopt a law increasing funds for universities, a major demand of students who have been blocking faculties since December. Additionally, the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic was set to be noted. However, other items on the agenda, proposed by the ruling coalition, infuriated the opposition, leading to the chaotic scenes that surfaced. As Speaker Ana Brnabic vowed that “the parliament will continue to work and to defend Serbia,” it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the growing unrest.