Serbian Parliament Erupts in Chaos Amid Ongoing Anti-Corruption Protests
On the opening day of the spring session of parliament, Serbian opposition lawmakers caused a scene by igniting flares and deploying tear gas in a dramatic show of solidarity with ongoing anti-corruption protests. This chaotic event unfolded on Tuesday after the ruling coalition, led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), approved the parliamentary agenda.
In a moment of heightened tension, several opposition politicians sprang from their seats, confronting parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabić and engaging in physical scuffles with security personnel. Live television broadcasts captured the alarming moment when smoke grenades were thrown, resulting in the chamber being enveloped in clouds of black and pink smoke.
Brnabić addressed the upheaval by criticizing the opposition's protests, stating emphatically, "Your color revolution has failed, and this country will live, this country will work, and this country will continue to win." She also reported that two lawmakers sustained injuries during the chaos, including one who was in critical condition following a stroke.
The backdrop to these shocking scenes is a national crisis. Serbia has faced months of unrest spurred by student-led anti-corruption protests that gained traction after a deadly incident last year—a roof collapse at a train station in Novi Sad that resulted in the tragic deaths of 15 people. This disaster has fueled widespread public outrage concerning corruption and the lack of regulatory oversight in construction projects, contributing to a growing discontent with the Serbian government.
The protests have increasingly pressured President Aleksandar Vučić’s administration, leading to the resignations of several high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister, in January. The public’s anger is being channeled through a movement that demands accountability and transparency from the government's dealings.
In recent statements, Vučić and other officials have alternated between extending invitations for dialogue and insinuating that the protests are being orchestrated by foreign entities. This inconsistency has only added to the atmosphere of distrust and division in Serbian society.
As the parliament moves forward with its agenda, the escalating protests highlight the urgent need for a response to the public's cries for change, accountability, and reform in a country grappling with the shadows of corruption and governmental oversight failures.
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