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 on-going anti-corruption protests.
A live video feed showed parliamentary speaker Ana Brnabic lambasting the opposition鈥檚 protest and use of 鈥榯ear gas鈥� in the assembly, saying: 鈥榊our colour revolution has failed, and this country will live, this country will work and this country will continue to win.鈥�
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.
The collapse of the station roof in Novi Sad in November followed extensive renovations to the building. It ignited long-simmering anger in the country over corruption and the alleged lack of oversight for construction and development projects.
Vucic and other government officials have oscillated between calling for talks and firing off allegations that the demonstrators are being backed by foreign powers.