Serbia opposition disrupts parliament with flares, tear gas: speaker

BELGRADE: Serbian opposition lawmakers lit flares and discharged suspected tear gas during the opening day of the spring session of parliament on Tuesday, in a sign of support for ongoing anti-corruption protests.

Footage shared online showed opposition members holding colourful flares and throwing what appeared to be smoke cannisters during the legislative session. A live video feed showed parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabic lambasting the opposition´s protest and use of “tear gas” in the assembly, saying: “Your colour revolution has failed, and this country will live, this country will work and this country will continue to win.”

Serbia has been rocked for months by student-led anti-corruption protests following the fatal collapse of a train station roof last year that killed 15 people. The movement has put increasing pressure on the Serbian government and President Aleksandar Vucic, spurring the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including the prime minister in January.

Tuesday´s session was the first since Prime Minister Milos Vucevic stepped down, where they were set to formalise his resignation. The parliament was also set to debate a new higher education bill that would slash tuition fees for university students -- a demand of the protesters.

In chaotic scenes, the parliamentary speaker said plans would go ahead to vote on the legislation, after opposition members launched their protest and threw eggs and water at members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party.