Serbia, brawl and smoke bombs in parliament

Brussels – Stadium riots at the Serbian Parliament—including smoke bombs. This happens while the Balkan state is experiencing one of the most serious political crises ever, with huge street demonstrations clamouring for the resignation of President Aleksandar Vučić and an end to the corruption that is gripping the country.

Bad start for Belgrade’s parliamentary year. It all started when, during the first session of the National Assembly (the single-chamber legislature) held today (March 4), the parties supporting the governing coalition approved the agenda. At that point, some minority deputies began to protest, claiming that the executive is not legitimate given the resignation of Miloš Vučević on January 28.

The protest quickly escalated, until some opposition MPs (at least according to the first footage available on the web) made their way to the government benches, being tackled by security. Shortly thereafter, flares, smoke and tear gas appeared in the hemicycle in addition to the more traditional signs and banners, but the work session continued amid chants, whistles, and vuvuzelas. According to the Speaker of the House, Ana Brnabić, at least two deputies were injured in the brawl.

VIDEO: Serbia opposition disrupts parliament with flares, suspected tear gas

Lawmakers carried out the protest on the opening day of the spring session of parliament, in a sign of support for an ongoing, student-led anti-corruption movement#AFPVertical pic.twitter.com/0ncMMeggTx

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) March 4, 2025

“We believe that only one item can be placed on the agenda, which is fulfilling the students’ demands,” said Green-Left Front leader Radomir Lazović. The reference is to the participatory protests that, led by university students (but soon to expand across the board to involve the entire Serbian social body), have been shaking the country since last November, paralyzing it and calling into question the grip on power of the President of the Republic, Aleksandar Vučić.

While the chaos continued in the House, a crowd of protesters gathered outside the Assembly to demand the resignation of the head of state and an end to corruption, which is perceived as systemic in the country.