Chaos Erupts in Serbia’s Parliament as Opposition Protests Escalate
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Serbian opposition lawmakers unleash smoke grenades and tear gas in a dramatic protest against the Vučević government during a parliamentary session, injuring one legislator with a stroke and raising fears of further political instability in Belgrade.
Belgrade, Serbia – March 5, 2025 – A tumultuous scene unfolded in Serbia’s parliament on Tuesday, March 4, as opposition lawmakers launched smoke grenades and tear gas in a fiery protest against the government of Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, leaving one legislator hospitalized with a stroke and sparking widespread concern over the country’s political stability. The unprecedented disruption, captured in viral footage showing black and pink smoke billowing through the chamber, has thrust Serbia’s simmering tensions into the global spotlight.
The chaos erupted during the opening day of the spring parliamentary session, as opposition members, frustrated by alleged corruption and authoritarian governance, clashed with ruling coalition lawmakers. Video evidence shared by economist Steve Hanke on X showed opposition figures storming toward parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabić, scuffling with security, and deploying the grenades and gas, while holding banners reading “Serbia rises up to bring down the regime.” The session, intended to address legislative priorities, descended into pandemonium within minutes, forcing an abrupt adjournment.
Among the casualties was opposition lawmaker Jasmina Obradović, who suffered a stroke amid the chaos and was rushed to a Belgrade hospital in critical condition. Medics attended to her on the chamber floor, as colleagues scrambled to clear the smoke-filled room. Two other lawmakers sustained minor injuries, according to official reports, while Brnabić condemned the protest as a “terrorist act” and vowed to pursue legal action against the perpetrators. “Your color revolution has failed,” she declared, echoing the ruling Serbian Progressive Party’s (SNS) narrative of external interference.
The protest stems from months of growing discontent with Vučević’s administration, which opposition parties accuse of consolidating power, stifling dissent, and mismanaging public funds. The immediate trigger was a student-led movement demanding accountability for a deadly railway station roof collapse in Novi Sad last November, which killed 15 people and injured two. That tragedy has fueled broader anti-corruption demonstrations, drawing teachers, farmers, and others into what many see as the biggest challenge yet to President Aleksandar Vučić’s decade-long rule.
Outside parliament, hundreds of protesters gathered in solidarity, standing in silence to honor the Novi Sad victims while holding signs reading “Justice for those killed” and “General strike.” Protest leaders have called for a major rally in Belgrade on March 15, signaling the movement’s resolve. However, the ruling coalition, led by the SNS, dismissed the parliamentary disruption as a “failed stunt” orchestrated by “Western-backed agitators,” a claim echoed by Vučić in a late-night address.
International observers are watching closely. The European Union, which Serbia seeks to join, has urged calm and dialogue, while the United States Embassy in Belgrade expressed “concern” over the violence, emphasizing the need for democratic norms. “Such actions undermine Serbia’s stability and its path to integration,” a statement read. In contrast, Russian state media framed the protests as proof of Western interference, aligning with Belgrade’s narrative.
For Serbia’s citizens, the chaos in parliament reflects a deeper malaise. “We’re tired of empty promises and heavy-handed tactics,” said Belgrade resident Marko Jovanović, a 34-year-old teacher. “But throwing smoke bombs? That’s not the answer—it’s just more chaos.” Others, like student activist Ana Petrović, defended the opposition’s actions as a desperate cry for change. “The government ignores us until we force them to listen,” she said.
The session, originally slated to resume on Wednesday, remains suspended as authorities investigate the incident and assess security measures. Meanwhile, the injured lawmaker’s condition hangs in the balance, and the political fallout threatens to deepen Serbia’s polarization. With the opposition vowing to escalate protests and the government doubling down on control, the chaos in Serbia’s parliament may be just the beginning of a turbulent spring in Belgrade.
