Some Opposition MPs Tried to Block Parliament Session by Making Noise, but Were Ignored

Photo: Serbian Government/ Pedja Vuckovic

The opposition MPs, who are the organizers of the Serbia Against Violence protests, tried to prevent holding of a parliament session on Sept. 5 by shouting ‘thieves, thieves,” whistling, applauding, and making noise. On the session agenda are 25 items.

Parliament speaker Vladimir Orlic opened the session, but when the prime minister and other ministers entered the hall, some MPs started blowing whistles and shouting “thieves, thieves,” and “out, out.” The session ended without a debate on amendments to the draft 2023 budget rebalancing. Another session, to continue debate on other bills and discuss the nomination of Slobodan Cvetkovic for the post of economy minister, was scheduled for Sept. 6.

Prime Minister Ana Brnabic continued to speak before the parliament although she could hardly be heard. She first spoke about budget rebalancing and the nominated economy minister, ignoring the noise. In the end, she mocked the opposition attempts to stop the work of the parliament. “Have you managed to block the parliament work? You have not. We managed to discuss budget rebalancing, to increase pensions and subsidies, to ensure financial assistance to mothers,” Brnabic said despite being booed by the opposition.

At the end of the session, Orlic told the opposition that their only achievement was that the debate on the amendments had been concluded and that MPs would be voting sooner than expected. The opposition MPs who have been taking part in the Serbia Against Violence protests have earlier said that they will continue to block the parliament work until their demand for holding snap parliamentary and local Belgrade elections are met.