Serbian Parliament Erupts in Chaos as Opposition Unleashes Smoke Grenades in Fiery Protest

Belgrade, Serbia – March 4, 2025 – The Serbian National Assembly descended into turmoil as opposition lawmakers detonated smoke grenades and tear gas inside the chamber, igniting a scene of unprecedented political unrest. The dramatic protest was aimed at the ruling government, underscoring escalating tensions over alleged corruption, public safety failures, and the nation's growing student-led demonstrations.

Explosive Showdown in Parliament

The political firestorm erupted during a high-stakes parliamentary session convened to address the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, who stepped down following mounting pressure from citizens enraged over government failures. The opposition seized the moment, disrupting proceedings with banners, blaring whistles, and chants, before resorting to more extreme measures—deploying smoke bombs and tear gas to force an immediate halt to discussions.

Security scrambled to contain the chaos as thick plumes of smoke engulfed the chamber, triggering panic and physical clashes between lawmakers and guards. Videos circulating online captured shocking scenes of politicians coughing, covering their faces, and scrambling for exits as alarms blared through the historic building.

At the heart of Serbia’s deepening crisis is the November 2024 Novi Sad railway station disaster, which claimed 15 lives after a station roof collapsed—a catastrophe widely blamed on government negligence, corruption, and mismanagement. The tragedy became a rallying cry for mass protests, with university students leading the charge, demanding justice, accountability, and systemic reforms.

The parliamentary protest was a direct extension of these demonstrations, amplifying public outrage over what many see as a regime that has lost touch with its people. Protesters outside the parliament observed a 15-minute silence in honor of the victims, symbolizing both mourning and defiance.

The chaos inside the assembly resulted in multiple injuries. Jasmina Obradovic, a member of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), suffered a stroke amid the pandemonium and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Meanwhile, Sonja Ilić, an eight-months-pregnant opposition lawmaker, was also injured, requiring urgent medical attention.

Despite the turmoil, Speaker Ana Brnabic remained defiant, vowing that "Parliament will not be silenced" and insisting that legislative work would continue despite the upheaval. However, opposition leaders dismissed the government’s stance as a desperate attempt to maintain power while ignoring the voices of thousands protesting in the streets.

What began as outrage over a deadly infrastructure failure has evolved into a nationwide movement demanding sweeping political change. Students, educators, labor unions, and civil society groups have united against what they call an era of systemic corruption under President Aleksandar Vučić’s decade-long rule.

With demonstrations entering their fourth consecutive month, tensions between citizens and the government have reached a boiling point. Analysts suggest that unless meaningful reforms are introduced, Serbia could face one of the most significant political reckonings in its modern history.

The Serbian government has oscillated between dismissing the protests as foreign-instigated destabilization efforts and acknowledging some grievances. Officials have floated potential reforms, including increased funding for universities—one of the protesters’ core demands—but critics argue that these are last-ditch efforts to pacify dissent rather than genuine commitments to change.

The March 4 parliamentary chaos has only further inflamed tensions in an already volatile political climate. As Serbia stands at a pivotal juncture, the government's next moves could determine the country's democratic future.

With students and opposition forces showing no signs of backing down, one thing is clear—Serbia's political crisis is far from over.