Smoke bombs set off in Serbian parliament: MPs in intensive care after riot!

By Gregor Mayer

Serbia - Against the backdrop of the political crisis in Serbia , there has been serious turmoil and rioting in the Balkan country's parliament.

Smoke bombs and flares were set off in the Serbian parliament.
Smoke bombs and flares were set off in the Serbian parliament.  © Uncredited/RTS Serbia/AP/dpa

Opposition MPs fired flares, smoke bombs and stun grenades to prevent the parliament, which in their view had become illegitimate, from working.

A 64-year-old member of parliament from the ruling SNS party had suffered a stroke and was being treated in intensive care, announced Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar (53).

According to parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabic (49), another MP from the government camp was injured in the head by an object. Opposition MPs disrupted the session for hours with the noise of horns, vuvuzelas and whistles.

Riots are not uncommon in the Serbian parliament, but the incident on Tuesday represented a clear escalation.

Paramedics carry an injured MP out of parliament.
Paramedics carry an injured MP out of parliament.  © Darko Vojinovic/AP/dpa
During a session of the Serbian parliament, people silently remember the 15 victims who were killed in the collapse of a concrete roof at the railroad station in Novi Sad, northern Serbia, in November 2024.
During a session of the Serbian parliament, people silently remember the 15 victims who were killed in the collapse of a concrete roof at the railroad station in Novi Sad, northern Serbia, in November 2024.  © Darko Vojinovic/AP/dpa

Serious political crisis since station canopy collapsed

Several people were injured.
Several people were injured.  © Uncredited/RTS Serbia/AP/dpa

Serbia is currently experiencing a serious political crisis.

Following the collapse of the station canopy in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad at the end of last year, which left 15 people dead, a student-led protest movement emerged that has since spread to large sections of Serbian society.

The protesters are demanding a complete investigation into the causes of the accident and the prosecution of those responsible.

They attribute the tragedy to corruption, which they see as being covered up by the political leadership and used to enrich themselves. In Serbia, President Aleksandar Vucic (54) makes all important decisions himself.

He has ruled the country in various capacities since 2012. The Serbian opposition parties fully support the students' demands.