Clashes broke out in Serbia’s parliament on Monday Opposition MLAs physically confronted the ruling coalition The roof of the train station collapsed In which 15 people died. The session, initially scheduled to discuss the 2025 budget, descended into chaos with heated arguments and clashes.
The incident follows growing public outcry over the tragedy at the recently renovated train station in the Serbian city of Novi Sad.
Radomir LazovicA member of the opposition Green-Left Front placed a provocative banner depicting a red hand with the caption “You have blood on your hands” on the speaker’s platform. Health Minister Xatibor Loncar confronted Lazovic, starting a brawl as other lawmakers rushed forward, shouting, dragging and even punching each other. Opposition MPs chanted “murderers, murderers” while the caption read, “No one is to blame.”
The fall has fueled accusations of corruption and nepotism against Vucic’s ruling party, charges the government denies.
Authorities arrested 12 people last week, including a former minister, but critics claim the action came too late to address public anger. Opposition leaders argue that the government delayed holding those responsible accountable and are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, who served as mayor of Novi Sad when construction began.
However, Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic refused to include a debate on the disaster or the opposition’s no-confidence motion against the government on the day’s agenda. The ruling coalition has accused opposition groups of inciting violence in recent protests in parliament and near the station.
Parliament resumed briefly in the afternoon but was again quickly disrupted as opposition members used whistles and noise to disrupt proceedings.
The disaster has heightened political tensions in Serbia, which seeks EU membership but refuses to follow EU policies on Russia.