In Serbia’s parliament, a vote intended to increase funding for university education descended into chaos, leaving at least three lawmakers injured, one seriously. Opposition parties challenged the legality of the session, demanding the confirmation of the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and his government before proceeding.
The turmoil erupted shortly after the session commenced on Tuesday, with opposition members ringing whistles and displaying a banner proclaiming, “Serbia has risen so the regime would fall!” Eyewitness accounts revealed that flares, smoke bombs, eggs, and water bottles were hurled during the disturbances, leading to significant disruptions.
Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic condemned the opposition, labelling them as a “terrorist gang,” and reported that one of the injured lawmakers is in critical condition. This incident underscores a deeper political crisis in Serbia, further exacerbated by ongoing anti-corruption protests that have shaken the populist administration.
This unrest follows Vucevic’s earlier resignation in January, a response to public outcry over a tragic incident in November when a concrete canopy collapse resulted in fifteen fatalities, attributed by critics to widespread corruption. However, Vucevic’s resignation can only take effect after parliamentary approval, which the opposition contends the current government lacks authority to grant.