Serbia's Parliament Erupts in Chaos Amid Ongoing Anti-Government Protests
On Tuesday, a significant anti-government protest erupted within the Serbian parliament during a session meant to formalize the resignation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević. This resignation was announced at the end of January after three months of continuous protests nationwide. Tensions escalated when opposition MPs ignited torches and deployed smoke grenades inside the chamber, leading to a brawl and water being thrown at parliament president Ana Brnabić. Security forces intervened to restore order amidst the chaos, but reports indicated that at least two MPs were injured in the scuffle. Among them, Jasmina Obradović suffered a heart attack and has been hospitalized in critical condition.
The protests were ignited when the majority coalition approved the session's agenda, which featured the formalization of Vučević's resignation as the last point. The opposition criticized this sequencing, leading to an intense demonstration inside the parliamentary chamber. Outside, a large group of protesters gathered, furious over the proceedings.
Photography from the scene captured the dramatic tension, notably the moment a female MP was taken away by first responders following the unrest in parliament.
These protests, which have continued for four months, represent one of the most significant challenges to the national government in three decades. The unrest began in November 2024 after a tragic roof collapse at the Novi Sad train station, located around 60 kilometers from Belgrade, which resulted in the deaths of fifteen individuals. This disaster highlighted systemic corruption within the governance of President Aleksandar Vučić's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which has been in power since 2012.
What started as an anti-corruption initiative driven primarily by students has evolved into a broader anti-government movement, engaging various segments of society. Protests now occur almost daily across multiple Serbian cities, with numerous university faculties occupied by students voicing their demands for change.
The protesters have laid out four main demands: the release of documents related to the renovation of the Novi Sad station, which have remained classified; the identification and prosecution of individuals responsible for assaults on professors and students during the demonstrations; the dropping of charges against students arrested amid the protests; and an increase in funding for education.
The growing unrest indicates a deep-seated discontent with the current regime and a call for accountability and transparency—a movement that resonates with many who are disillusioned by years of perceived misgovernance. As these protests gain momentum, the Serbian government faces increasing pressure to address the concerns of its citizens and respond to the demands calling for systemic reform.
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