A conflict broke out in Serbia’s parliament on Monday as opposition lawmakers bodily confronted the ruling coalition over a prepare station roof collapse that killed 15 folks. The session, initially scheduled to debate the 2025 finances, descended into chaos with heated arguments and altercations.
The incident follows rising public outrage over the tragedy at Serbian metropolis, Novi Unhappy’s not too long ago renovated prepare station.
Radomir Lazovic, a member of the opposition Inexperienced-Left Entrance, positioned a provocative banner on the speaker’s platform exhibiting a purple hand with the caption “you’ve got blood in your fingers.” Well being minister Zatibor Loncar confronted Lazovic, sparking a brawl as different lawmakers rushed ahead, shouting, pulling, and even putting each other. Opposition deputies chanted “killers, killers” whereas holding posters depicting President Aleksandar Vucic with bloodied fingers alongside the caption, “Nobody is to be blamed.”
The collapse has fuelled accusations of corruption and nepotism towards Vucic’s ruling occasion, allegations the federal government denies.
Authorities arrested 12 folks final week, together with a former minister, however critics declare the motion got here too late to deal with public anger. Opposition leaders argue that the federal government delayed holding these accountable to account and are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, who served as Novi Unhappy’s mayor when development started.
Nevertheless, Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic refused to incorporate a debate on the catastrophe or the opposition’s no-confidence movement towards the federal government on the day’s agenda. The ruling coalition has accused opposition teams of inciting violence, each in parliament and at latest protests close to the station.
The parliament session briefly resumed within the afternoon however was rapidly disrupted once more as opposition members used whistles and noise to dam proceedings.
The catastrophe has elevated political pressure in Serbia, which seeks EU membership however refuses to observe EU insurance policies on Russia.
