BELGRADE (Reuters) – Serbian opposition deputies threw smoke grenades and tear gas inside parliament on Tuesday in a show of opposition to government policies and support for protesting students, a live broadcast showed.
Demonstrations sparked by a train station roof collapse that killed 15 people four months ago have morphed into the biggest threat yet to the Serbian 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 building.
Speaker Ana Brnabic said that 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.
The 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, Editing by Timothy Heritage and Andrew Cawthorne)
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