Chaos Erupts in Serbia’s Parliament on Tuesday; Smoke Bombs, Flares, and Physical Clashes Leave Three Lawmakers Injured

 

Smoke bombs and flares erupt inside Serbia's parliament in Belgrade on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

Chaos Erupts in Serbia’s Parliament on Tuesday

Smoke Bombs, Flares, and Physical Clashes Leave Three Lawmakers Injured

Serbia’s parliament descended into turmoil on Tuesday as smoke bombs, flares, and scuffles broke out, resulting in injuries to at least three lawmakers—one of them seriously. The violent altercation has further intensified political unrest in the Balkan nation.

According to The Associated Press, opposition parties had gathered to push for the official confirmation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic’s resignation along with his government’s dissolution. The session quickly spiraled into chaos, with opposition members blowing whistles and raising a banner that read, "Serbia has risen so the regime would fall!" Meanwhile, hundreds of opposition supporters staged demonstrations outside the parliamentary building.

Footage from inside the assembly hall captured heated clashes among lawmakers, while flares and smoke bombs were hurled across the room. Reports from Serbian media indicated that eggs and water bottles were also thrown.

Authorities later confirmed that three individuals had sustained injuries, including lawmaker Jasmina Obradovic, who required hospitalization. In response to the disorder, Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic denounced the opposition as a "terrorist gang." Meanwhile, Defense Minister Bratislav Gasic condemned the incident, calling it "a disgrace to Serbia."

"The vandalism of opposition MPs has exposed the nature of their personalities and the essence of their political agenda," Gasic remarked.

Serbia’s populist President Aleksandar Vucic later visited Obradovic in the hospital and voiced his support on Instagram, stating, "Jasmina will win, Serbia will win."

The Bigger Picture

• Vucevic’s Resignation: The prime minister stepped down in January following public outrage over the deadly collapse of a concrete train station canopy in northern Serbia, which claimed 15 lives. His resignation must be formally confirmed by parliament before it becomes official.

• Student-Led Protests: Serbia’s student movement has been a major force behind ongoing street demonstrations since the tragic incident on November 1 in Novi Sad. One of their key demands has been an increase in education funding.

• Call for a Transitional Government: Leftist lawmaker Radomir Lazovic stated that the opposition was willing to approve the student-backed education reform bill but refused to discuss any other measures on the parliamentary agenda. Lazovic insisted, "we can only discuss the fall of the government." He argued that the only way forward would be the establishment of a transitional government to ensure fair and transparent elections—a demand that Serbia’s ruling populist party has continuously rejected.

• Public Outrage Over Corruption: Many Serbians believe the deadly station collapse was the result of substandard construction work and ignored safety regulations, both of which they attribute to government corruption.