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Opposition lawmakers in Serbia resorted to violence by setting off smoke grenades and spraying pepper spray in the country’s parliament on Tuesday, allegedly in solidarity with student-led protests taking place in the Balkan nation. The incident caused an uproar in the chamber and one lawmaker suffered a stroke during the attack.
Protests began four months ago when a railway station roof collapsed, killing 15 people in Novi Sad. Students, teachers, farmers, and other groups have joined the protests, accusing the government of corruption and mismanagement.
Opposition lawmakers rushed toward the parliamentary speaker and clashed with security guards, some throwing smoke bombs, while others using pepper spray, filling the chamber with thick black and pink smoke.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić told Pink TV that “today is a difficult day for Serbia, for every normal citizen of this country, that we have attended something that we have not witnessed since the establishment of a multi-party system, meaning in the last 35 years.” Vučić went on to condemn the lawmakers’ actions, calling them “hooliganism” and vowing that authorities would hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
Former Prime Minister and current Parliamentary Speaker Ana Brnabić reported that three lawmakers were injured. Among them was Jasmina Obradović of the ruling SNS party, who suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar later confirmed that Obradović was in serious condition. Another, Sonja Ilić, who is eighth months pregnant, was also injured but her baby was fortunately unharmed.
Despite the disruptions, ruling coalition members continued their debate while opposition lawmakers whistled and blew horns in protest some holding up signs reading “General Strike” and “Justice for Those Killed.”
Outside the parliament, a few hundred protesters stood in silence to honor those who died in the collapse. Protest leaders announced plans for a large protest in Belgrade on March 15.
The government claims that the protests are being fueled by Western intelligence agencies attempting to destabilize the country and replace the government with a globalist one. A defiant President Vučić declared, “we will solve the problems of citizens and we will celebrate the victory over the dirtiest color revolution that someone tried to carry out in a sovereign, independent and free country.”