The Serbian National Assembly descended into chaos during a recent session, marking one of the most tumultuous episodes in the country’s parliamentary history. Opposition lawmakers from the Green-Left Front escalated tensions by deploying smoke bombs and a fire extinguisher, filling the chamber with thick smoke and white powder. The protests were accompanied by a black banner reading “Serbia has risen to bring down the regime,” highlighting the intensity of opposition to the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).
The unrest began when the ruling majority dismissed opposition demands to amend the parliamentary agenda. The opposition sought to focus exclusively on the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic and amendments to the Education Law, which would address some of the concerns raised by protesting students. However, the ruling coalition proceeded with a broader agenda, triggering a fierce backlash. The situation quickly escalated into physical confrontations, with parliamentarians hurling bottles and eggs at each other.
Despite the turmoil, Assembly Speaker Ana Brnabic refused to adjourn the session. Struggling to breathe through the smoke, she attempted to continue discussions, accusing opposition lawmakers of resorting to intimidation tactics. Brnabic characterized the opposition’s actions as an attempt to destabilize the government, further polarizing the atmosphere in the assembly.
The violent scenes resulted in several injuries among lawmakers, including Jasmina Obradovic, who reportedly suffered a stroke and remains in critical condition, and Sonja Ilic, who is eight months pregnant. In response, the Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into the use of pyrotechnics within the parliamentary chamber. The Green-Left Front admitted responsibility for the smoke bombs, stating that their actions were a necessary response to what they perceive as institutional violence by the ruling party.
The unrest in parliament reflects a deeper political crisis in Serbia, with the opposition accusing the government of bypassing constitutional protocols. Analysts described the situation as a “creeping coup d’etat,” suggesting that the speaker’s actions effectively nullified the powers and rights of other members of parliament. The opposition maintains that the government should not proceed with new legislative proposals without first acknowledging the prime minister’s resignation, arguing that a resigned government should only function in a caretaker capacity.
Outside the parliament, demonstrators gathered to express their dissatisfaction, though the protests did not reach a large scale. Notably, student groups, who have been leading protests in recent months demanding accountability for a previous incident that resulted in 15 deaths, chose to distance themselves from the violent methods employed by the opposition in parliament.
Political analysts suggest that the opposition’s aggressive tactics may have inadvertently played into the hands of the ruling party, reinforcing its portrayal of the opposition as disruptive and extreme. As protests continue, including a general strike planned for March 7 and a large demonstration in Belgrade on March 15, the political landscape in Serbia remains volatile. The outcome of these protests may prove pivotal in determining whether the opposition’s strategy will yield meaningful political change or further entrench the current government’s position.