Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 4, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 25, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleSerbian opposition lawmakers used smoke grenades in parliament, protesting against the government. A lawmaker suffered a stroke amid the chaos.
By Ivana Sekularac
BELGRADE (Reuters) -Serbian opposition lawmakers threw smoke grenades and tear gas inside parliament on Tuesday to protest against the government and support demonstrating students, with one legislator suffering a stroke during the chaos.
Four months of student-led demonstrations have drawn in teachers, farmers and others to become the biggest threat yet to President Aleksandar Vucic's decade-long rule, with many Serbians denouncing corruption and incompetence in government.
At the legislative session, after the ruling coalition led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) approved the agenda, some opposition politicians ran out of their seats towards the parliamentary speaker and scuffled with security guards.
Others tossed smoke grenades and tear gas, with live TV showing black and pink smoke inside the parliament, which has also witnessed brawls and throwing of water in the decades since the introduction of multi-party democracy in 1990.
POLITICIAN HURT
Speaker Ana Brnabic said two lawmakers were injured, with one, Jasmina Obradovic of the SNS party, suffering a stroke and in critical condition. "The parliament will continue to work and to defend Serbia," she told the session.
As the session continued, ruling coalition politicians debated while opposition lawmakers whistled and blew horns.
Opposition deputies also held signs reading "general strike," and "justice for the killed", while outside the building protesters stood in silence to honour 15 people killed by a railway station roof collapse that was the spark for the protest movement.
Protest leaders called for a major rally in the capital Belgrade on March 15.
The ruling coalition says Western intelligence agencies are trying to destabilise Serbia and topple the government by backing the protests.
Parliament was due on Tuesday to adopt a law increasing funds for universities - one of the main demands of students blocking faculties since December.
Parliament had also been due to note the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic. But other items put on the agenda by the ruling coalition angered the opposition.
(Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; additional reporting by Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
Opposition lawmakers threw smoke grenades and tear gas inside the Serbian parliament to protest against the government and support student demonstrations.
Jasmina Obradovic of the SNS party suffered a stroke and is in critical condition.
The students are demanding increased funding for universities, which was one of the main items on the parliamentary agenda.
The ruling coalition accused Western intelligence agencies of attempting to destabilize Serbia and topple the government by supporting the protests.
Protest leaders have called for a major rally in Belgrade on March 15.
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