Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić has characterized the recent event in the Serbian Parliament, where three MPs reportedly sustained injuries due to opposition MPs deploying pyrotechnic devices, as “part of a larger scheme aimed at unsettling and dismantling Serbia.”

Dačić emphasized that all individuals involved in the incident “will be held accountable for their actions per the law.”

“We will not tolerate violence, and it is imperative for every individual to recognize the seriousness of their actions and their repercussions. No immunity will shield anyone from accountability for such conduct. Those who seek to destabilize and demean the institution that represents the pinnacle of legislative authority, known as the National Assembly, are ultimately undermining and disgracing their own citizens,” Dačić stated, according to his office’s report.

He remarked that “there has never been a moment in Serbian history when smoke bombs, tear gas, eggs, and bottles were deployed within the National Assembly.”

“A significant disgrace has been inflicted upon the National Assembly, and on all of Serbia. Should we allow violence and barbarism to set the standard for democratic conduct and the values that should guide Serbia? No, gentlemen, such acts disrupt the democratic process, hinder institutional operations, and heighten tensions among citizens,” Dačić further asserted.

Today’s session of the Serbian Parliament was overshadowed by a series of disruptions.

Following a confrontation, smoke bombs were thrown, and a torch was lit around 11 a.m., with additional incidents unfolding around 2 p.m. Smoke bombs were deployed once again, a torch was ignited, and MP Radomir Lazović utilized a fire extinguisher. Opposition MPs hurled eggs at government members. In the initial incident, two MPs from the Serbian Progressive Party were injured, one of whom, who is pregnant, became unwell, as reported by N1.

The session was originally slated to address 62 items, covering changes to the Law on Higher Education, a bill for housing loans for young people, and a vote on the dismissal of Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić. The Green-Left Front’s request to focus solely on the Law on Higher Education was denied. Miroslav Aleksić announced that “the opposition has taken note of the Government’s resignation.”

Citizens who gathered outside the Assembly threw eggs at the building.

The proceedings of the Serbian Parliament, following a tumultuous session marked by exchanges of insults between government and opposition MPs, concluded around 6 p.m. Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić indicated that the session would resume the following day at 10 a.m.

Jovanović on the session’s continuation: Multiple options are being considered

The president of the New Democratic Party of Serbia (Novi DSS), Miloš Jovanović, shared that there are various approaches the opposition parliamentary factions may take at the resumption of the session tomorrow, and that agreements will be made at the level of the parliamentary opposition.

“We will see tomorrow; multiple options are on the table, all equally legitimate. In my view, we may choose to remain in the hall to block and obstruct proceedings, we could go to the Expo or the Airport… We will discuss and reach an agreement with our colleagues,” Jovanović told the press in parliament.

He assessed that determining the method is not the most critical aspect; rather, the significant issue is that “what is happening in our society has gone beyond all limits.”

“And it won’t stop with our engagement alone; it won’t conclude with just student protests. This is a societal concern. It involves a fundamental question regarding whether we will live as free citizens or if this ongoing turmoil will persist and erode our society like a malignant growth,” remarked Jovanović.

He asserted that the entire accountability for the prevailing situation in Serbia lies “with the authorities.”

“To be precise, as power is concentrated in one individual, the singular responsibility for this chaos that prevails in our country and for the unwillingness to escape this turmoil rests with Aleksandar Vučić,” Jovanović said, urging citizens to voice their dissent in every possible manner and venue.

He stated that the only viable solution to navigate the current crisis in the country is through fair elections.

“Nothing more, nothing less. Democratic and fair elections. Given their inability to organize such elections themselves, forming a transitional government is imperative—not to govern, but to facilitate free media and create conditions for these fair elections to finally be conducted in our country,” Jovanović elaborated.

He mentioned that the entire parliamentary opposition has rallied around a clear proposal for a transitional government as the sole feasible solution, adding they will soon present a more detailed proposal.

Lazović: We stand ready to engage with authorities; we acted with pride

The leader of the Green-Left Front (ZLF) parliamentary group, Radomir Lazović, stated that the party’s deputies are prepared to engage with any state authorities regarding the events that transpired in the Serbian Parliament.

“We are open to the authorities. What we did, we did proudly. We brought approximately a dozen smoke devices. Dobrica Veselinović and I used the fire extinguisher,” Lazović informed reporters at the Serbian Parliament.

He noted that if any clarifications are necessary, he would gladly answer any inquiries from judicial authorities.

When reporters asked if further similar actions were anticipated, he refrained from disclosing specifics.

“Our communications are being monitored through advanced software. We are under surveillance and have been a target of aggression for the past decade. We are making every effort to operate within this oppressive state, so please understand that we won’t discuss it in advance,” Lazović remarked.

The announcement of over 20 press conferences that did not take place, which Lazović termed a diversion, led him to extend apologies to journalists.

He expressed hope for the swift recovery of the injured MPs, revealing that available footage indicates one was injured by SNS MP Žika Gojković.

“We regret this occurrence and wish it could have been avoided,” stated Lazović, adding that ZLF MP Đorđe Pavicevic was also targeted but fortunately unharmed.

He claimed that police and government deputies assaulted them within the chamber, describing the occurrences as unacceptable, but a reaction to the “violence perpetrated against the citizens of Serbia over the past 13 years.”

Given the ongoing student and civic protests throughout Serbia, the opposition could not permit any agenda that did not align with the students’ demands during the parliamentary session, he added.

Lazović concluded that a resigned government should not be proposing laws, setting 62 agenda items, or incurring billions of euros in new debt.

“This is not the behavior of a government that has resigned. We agree that such a government can accept the students’ demands, and that should be the extent of it,” Lazović asserted, declaring that the ZLF is resolute in fighting for its envisioned future—on the streets, within institutions, and through legal avenues.

Following the acceptance of student demands, he expressed belief that discussions about a transitional government with a defined term should commence, aiming at liberating media and establishing the groundwork for free elections.

“Even the greatest idea is futile without broad societal backing,” Lazović warned, emphasizing that such proposals should be directed at students, citizens, and civil society, inviting them to submit their suggestions for consideration.

Pavle Grbović, president of the Movement of Free Citizens (PSG), commented that today’s scenes in the Parliament should not be anticipated in the future; however, he maintained that the session was not a genuine parliamentary session but “a continuation of the coup d’état initiated by Parliament Speaker Ana Branbić back in November.”

According to him, the continuation of this coup d’état is evident in the government’s proposal of legislation while still in resignation.

“We had to confront it with all available means. Ideally, we would have preferred to respond only with remarks and procedural violations, but that is not feasible under the current circumstances in Serbia,” Grbović noted, affirming that the opposition has a responsibility to react in this pivotal moment.

He affirmed that the opposition will persist in its struggle and resistance as political actors advocating for a peaceful resolution to the existing crisis, proposing a transitional government as a possible solution.

ZLF MP Biljana Đorđević criticized Ana Brnabić for treating Parliament like a “servant of the Government,” stressing that today’s session marked “a new low,” given that it involved a government that has fallen.

“Throughout this period, the government has been sending laws into parliamentary procedures, and the attempted session we attended, under Brnabić’s leadership, does not reflect the essence of the National Assembly. We could not allow such proceedings to continue,” she stated.

Supreme Prosecutor’s Office: MPs’ immunity does not shield from criminal charges

The Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) of Serbia condemned any actions that threaten the “physical safety of MPs, cause them harm, or endanger their lives, irrespective of the source of such behavior, including the MPs themselves.” The office emphasized that parliamentary immunity does not shield MPs from criminal prosecution for offenses committed in accordance with Serbia’s Constitution and laws, as reported by RTS.

The Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office reminded the public that while MPs are protected by immunity from criminal prosecution for their opinions or votes performed in the execution of parliamentary duties, this immunity does not extend to criminal activities that contravene the Constitution and laws of Serbia.

“We call for an immediate de-escalation of the situation in the National Assembly by refraining from any actions that may jeopardize the safety, body, or life of any persons working within the premises of the National Assembly, particularly MPs,” the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office proclaimed.

Belgrade Prosecutor’s Office requests police action to ascertain facts

The First Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade announced that regarding today’s events in the Serbian Parliament, it has requested the police to gather necessary information for identifying the offenders.

The on-duty public prosecutor at this office issued the request due to “the existence of essential elements of the crime of ‘serious offenses against public security,'” as noted in the announcement.

The police were tasked with establishing factual details and collecting evidence to determine who brought and utilized the pyrotechnics and how they were introduced into the Serbian Parliament.

The statement added, “It has also been mandated to identify those who threw various objects causing injuries to MPs.”

“The identities of the injured MPs are to be determined, and medical documentation regarding their injuries is to be collected,” the prosecutor’s office indicated through its website.

Following the fact-finding process to determine the “complete and accurate situation,” the public will be informed of forthcoming actions, it added.

Health Minister: Injured MP in critical condition

Serbian Health Minister Zlatibor Lončar reported earlier that MP Jasmina Obradović suffered a stroke following the incidents in the Serbian Parliament and is currently in serious condition within the intensive care unit at the Emergency Center, according to RTS.

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