Scuffles and fistfights erupted in Serbia's parliament on Monday between ruling party and opposition lawmakers. This incident comes in the wake of a deadly rail station roof collapse in Novi Sad that claimed the lives of 15 individuals on November 1.
The opposition sought to address the responsibility for the tragic crash, while the ruling party aimed to pass a bill regarding next year's state budget. Tensions escalated as the opposition displayed a banner accusing the ruling party of having 'blood on their hands,' to which the ruling party responded with a banner accusing the opposition of inciting conflict.
Parliamentary chaos ensued when both sides attempted to seize each other's banners, leading to scuffles within the legislative chamber. Parliament speaker Ana Brnabic swiftly accused the opposition of attempting to seize power through external support, labeling them as organized troublemakers.
President Aleksandar Vucic condemned the opposition's behavior, vowing to counter their actions with increased dedication to public service. He reassured citizens that the government would not be deterred by opposition tactics aimed at disrupting essential services like pension payments and public sector salaries.
Opposition leader Dragan Djilas criticized the speaker for obstructing a debate on accountability for the rail station tragedy, accusing her of silencing dissent within the parliament. The collapse of the station's roof has sparked widespread discontent and protests, with critics attributing the disaster to corruption and negligence in construction practices.
The incident has underscored broader concerns about authoritarian governance in Serbia, with calls for greater transparency in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly those involving partnerships with Chinese state entities.
