Opposition Legislators Clash in Serbian Parliament Over Train Station Roof Collapse

Belgrade, Serbia – November 25, 2024 – Tensions flared in the Serbian parliament on Monday as opposition lawmakers confronted the ruling coalition over the recent tragedy at a Belgrade train station that left 15 people dead.

The altercation erupted when opposition members raised banners accusing the government of attempting to evade responsibility for the collapse of the train station roof earlier this month. Radomir Lazovic, a prominent member of the opposition Green-Left Front party, made a dramatic statement by placing a picture of a red hand, with the caption “you have blood on your hands,” on the speaker’s platform. The scene was captured by N1 television, showing lawmakers exchanging heated words.

The roof collapse, which took place at one of Belgrade’s busiest stations, shocked the nation and triggered widespread outrage. While the ruling coalition has promised a thorough investigation into the incident, opposition parties have repeatedly claimed that the government’s negligence and failure to address infrastructure issues contributed to the deadly event.

As the parliamentary session descended into chaos, lawmakers from the ruling coalition dismissed the accusations, emphasizing that the government was committed to uncovering the truth behind the tragedy. However, the scuffles in the chamber reflected the growing frustration among opposition parties, who accuse the authorities of attempting to cover up their failure to maintain public infrastructure.

The incident has sparked a larger debate about the state of Serbia’s public services and the accountability of those in power, as public demand for answers continues to mount.