At least three Serbian lawmakers were injured on Tuesday after smoke bombs and flares were thrown during a chaotic session in the country’s parliament.
The incident occurred as lawmakers were set to vote on a bill to increase funding for university education, but opposition parties disrupted the proceedings, arguing that the session was illegal and demanding the formal confirmation of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević’s resignation.
The turmoil in parliament reflects the ongoing political instability in Serbia, where months-long anti-corruption protests have challenged the populist government. Prime Minister Vučević resigned in January amid widespread public outrage over a tragic incident in November 2023, when a canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, northern Serbia, killing 15 people.
Critics blamed the disaster on rampant corruption and poor governance. Opposition parties also accused the government of delaying the resignation process, further fueling tensions.
The protests in parliament escalated into violence as smoke bombs and flares were thrown, creating chaos in the chamber. The injured lawmakers were treated for minor injuries, but the incident has heightened concerns about the country’s political climate.
As Serbia grapples with this crisis, the international community is closely watching developments in the Balkan nation, which has long been a focal point of regional politics.
