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A clash broke out in Serbia’s parliament on Monday as opposition lawmakers physically confronted the ruling coalition over a train station roof collapse that killed 15 people. The session, initially scheduled to discuss the 2025 budget, descended into chaos with heated arguments and altercations.
The incident follows growing public outrage over the tragedy at Serbian city, Novi Sad’s recently renovated train station.
Radomir Lazovic, a member of the opposition Green-Left Front, placed a provocative banner on the speaker’s platform showing a red hand with the caption “you have blood on your hands.” Health minister Zatibor Loncar confronted Lazovic, sparking a brawl as other lawmakers rushed forward, shouting, pulling, and even striking one another. Opposition deputies chanted “killers, killers” while holding posters depicting President Aleksandar Vucic with bloodied hands alongside the caption, “No one is to be blamed.”
The collapse has fuelled accusations of corruption and nepotism against Vucic’s ruling party, allegations 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 to account and are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, who served as Novi Sad’s mayor 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, both in parliament and at recent protests near the station.
The parliament session briefly resumed in the afternoon but was quickly disrupted again as opposition members used whistles and noise to block proceedings.
The disaster has increased political tension in Serbia, which seeks EU membership but refuses to follow EU policies on Russia.
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