On March 4, 2025, the Serbian parliament became the scene of unprecedented chaos as members engaged in violence during the first spring session, protesting against the government and showing solidarity with student-led anti-corruption demonstrations. The events unfolded shortly after the ruling coalition, led by Prime Minister Miloš Vučević's Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), attempted to push through legislation aimed at increasing funding for universities and confirming Vučević's resignation. Many saw this move as inadequate and enraging.
The atmosphere turned tumultuous when opposition members, frustrated with the agenda, unleashed smoke grenades and flares, with some reports claiming they even used tear gas. This led to security forces struggling to manage the situation as all hell broke loose. Ana Brnabić, the President of Parliament, called for calm and urged members to return to their seats, emphasizing the need for parliamentary order. Despite her efforts, the chaos continued to escalate.
Eyewitness accounts detailed the installation of pink and black smoke wafting through the parliamentary chamber. A protest banner asserting, "Serbia rises to bring down the regime" had also been displayed. The events transpired during live broadcast, adding to their significance.
"The parliament will continue its work and defend Serbia," Brnabić affirmed, amid the turmoil. She later disclosed troubling news: two MPs were injured, one of whom, Jasmina Obradović, was reported to be receiving emergency care after suffering a stroke due to the chaos. Reports confirmed she was in life-threatening condition. Another parliamentarian, who is eight months pregnant, apparently experienced severe shock as well.
The opposition's frustration was rooted deeply, following months of large-scale protests compelling the government to address corruption. The call for accountability intensified after the disaster at the Novi Sad train station last November, where 15 individuals tragically lost their lives due to structural failures during its renovation. Those catastrophes were seen as symptoms of broader systemic corruption.
Protest activities surged recently, particularly following Prime Minister Vučević’s resignation announcement at the end of January. His statement aimed to deescalate the situation: "The government must show maximum responsibility," he had stated. Yet those words fell flat with demonstrators, many of whom felt the resignation insufficient to address the deep-seated issues.
Massive demonstrations erupted across the country, with thousands marching through cities like Kragujevac just days earlier. Protesters have consistently called for greater accountability from the government, accusing it of economic malpractice and media oppression. The sentiment among the crowd grew increasingly defiant with chants and slogans being echoed throughout the streets, declaring, "We are the change!"
Back inside parliament, things were spiraling out of control. The ruling coalition's agenda, which included confirming Vučević's resignation and passing laws with concessions to students, faced vehement backlash. Opposition members argued why there was any point to legislate when the PM had stepped down. Brnabić described the opposition’s actions as akin to "terrorism," insisting their resistance only disrupted the democratic process intended to move the nation forward.
The situation chronicles how difficult the political atmosphere remains, with President Aleksandar Vučić oscillated between calling for dialogue and attributing the upheaval to foreign influences, particularly focusing blame on Western nations. His administration has faced renewed scrutiny and claims of voter manipulation and media oppression.
For the parliamentary session to continue after such incidents remains uncertain. Brnabić expressed frustrations over the identified acts of violence and smoke bomb usage made by opposition members during previous meetings as well. Despite the call to return to order, officials knew it's increasingly challenging to maintain unity.
The turmoil culminated when opposition representatives hurled vuvuzelas, eggs, and even reportedly bottles at ruling party members. These acts underscored the deep rift between Serbia's ruling party and the opposition, making it evident just how serious the political crisis has become.
What happens next is unclear as the immediate reactions to the session will likely drive the public's perception of the ruling government, as tensions and protests continue to loom large over Serbia. Supporters and dissenters are inevitably neck-deep, reflecting society's intense divisions over justice and accountability.
Serbia remains under defined pressure — both from long-standing internal strife and the mounting international community's gaze. Every aspect of these proceedings from the Parliament to the protests symbolize the current pulse of the nation where unresolved tensions shape and define its future.