Key takeaways:

• Opposition lawmakers threw smoke grenades and flares inside the Serbian parliament during protests.
• At least three lawmakers were injured, with one in critical condition due to a stroke.
• The incident reflects deepening political tensions amid ongoing student-led demonstrations against government corruption.

BELGRADE, March 4 (Reuters) - Serbian opposition lawmakers caused chaos in parliament on Tuesday by throwing smoke grenades and flares to protest against the government and support demonstrating students. This tumultuous scene resulted in injuries to at least three lawmakers, one of whom suffered a serious stroke and is in critical condition, as reported by CBS.

The turmoil erupted during a parliamentary session that was supposed to vote on a law to increase funding for university education, an important demand of the protesting students. However, opposition parties claimed that the ruling coalition, led by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), was illegitimately planning to approve several other decisions without first confirming the resignation of Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, leading to a breakdown of order.

As the session began, the atmosphere grew increasingly hostile, with opposition lawmakers blowing whistles and holding banners proclaiming “Serbia has risen so the regime would fall!” Video footage from inside the assembly showed lawmaker clashes, with reports of additional projectiles being thrown, including eggs and water bottles. Al Jazeera noted that Speaker Ana Brnabic accused the opposition of behaving like a “terrorist gang,” reflecting the heightened tensions between both parties.

Outside the parliament, hundreds of citizens rallied in solidarity with the opposition, further amplifying the sense of unrest in Serbia. The protests, which have escalated following a tragic railway station roof collapse in November that claimed 15 lives, highlight long-standing concerns about government corruption and incompetence. Activists are demanding not just educational reforms but also substantial changes in governmental oversight and accountability.

President Aleksandar Vucic, who has faced significant public discontent over government mismanagement, visited the injured lawmaker in the hospital, displaying a concern for the situation as he expressed that both “Jasmina will win, and Serbia will win,” emphasizing the political stakes involved in this escalating crisis. With the next major rally planned for March 15, the situation in Serbia continues to develop as opposition groups seek to channel public discontent into more organized movements against the ruling government.

This ongoing conflict between the opposition and government signals a crucial moment in Serbia's political landscape, with many observers advocating for a transitional government to foster fair elections and address the nation’s pressing issues. For more details, visit Reuters.