(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, MAR 4 - 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. "Do you defend students'
demands like this?" said Brnabic during the session. (ANSA-AFP).
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