Belgrade—Pandemonium engulfed Serbia’s parliament as opposition lawmakers set off smoke grenades and tear gas inside the chamber, bringing proceedings to a standstill in a dramatic protest against the government.
The session, intended for key legislative discussions, quickly descended into chaos as thick clouds of smoke filled the hall, forcing MPs to evacuate while others donned masks to withstand the fumes. Shouts and scuffles broke out as security scrambled to regain control.
The opposition claims the radical move was necessary to resist what they call increasing authoritarianism under President Aleksandar Vučić’s rule. Government officials condemned the act as a reckless attack on democracy, vowing legal consequences.
The shocking scenes mark the latest escalation in Serbia’s political crisis, raising concerns about stability as tensions boil over in the Balkan nation.