Serbian opposition lawmakers have lit flares and discharged teargas during the opening day of the spring session of parliament, in a sign of support for anti-corruption protests.
At the legislative session on Tuesday, 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, Ana Brnabić, and scuffled with security guards.
Others tossed smoke grenades and teargas, with live TV showing black and pink smoke inside the building.
A live video feed showed Brnabić lambasting the opposition’s protest, saying: “Your colour revolution has failed, and this country will live; this country will work and this country will continue to win.”
Brnabić said two lawmakers had been injured, including one who had had a stroke and was in critical condition. “The parliament will continue to work and to defend Serbia,” she told the session.
Serbia has been rocked for months by student-led anti-corruption protests after the collapse of a train station roof last year, which killed 15 people.
The movement has put increasing pressure on the Serbian government and on president, Aleksandar Vučić, spurring the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including the prime minister in January.
The collapse of the station roof in Novi Sad in November followed extensive renovations to the building. It ignited long-simmering anger in the country over corruption and the alleged lack of oversight for construction and development projects.
Vučić and other government officials have oscillated between calling for talks and alleging that the demonstrators are being backed by foreign powers.
