A group of Serbian opposition lawmakers on Wednesday morning cut the wire securing the barricades around the pro-government protest camp “Ćaćilend” and removed one of the tents blocking the main entrance of the National Assembly, leading to several incidents as they attempted to enter the building.
The action took place ahead of the continuation of the parliamentary session, and followed a series of confrontations in recent days between MPs and security forces aligned with the ruling SNS government.
Opposition Forced to Cut Through Barricades
To reach the main entrance of Parliament — which has for weeks been obstructed by tents and fencing erected by regime-aligned protesters — opposition MPs first cut the wire linking the metal barriers and then removed a blue-green tent placed directly in front of the door.
As they approached the building, individuals gathered in the Ćaćilend camp shouted insults at the MPs, including “ustaše,” echoing the inflammatory rhetoric frequently promoted by pro-Vučić media to delegitimize critics of the government.
Security personnel in yellow vests attempted to keep the two groups apart.
Scuffles and Police Intervention
Amid pushing and shoving between members of Ćaćilend and private security, police forces eventually joined the effort to prevent further clashes.
During the commotion, MP Robert Kozma was knocked to the ground, prompting opposition lawmakers to question why police had not intervened earlier. Only after this incident did officers begin actively assisting the security staff.
Despite the tension, the MPs succeeded in entering the National Assembly.
Background: A Manufactured Obstruction
The confrontation comes one day after police officers clashed with MPs from the “Serbia Center” (Srce) party, led by Zdravko Ponoš, who also attempted to access the main entrance but were blocked by the Ćaćilend encampment and police.
Following Tuesday’s clashes, a meeting in Parliament resulted in an agreement that MPs should be guaranteed unobstructed access to the main entrance of the building — a basic democratic norm that has repeatedly been violated in recent weeks.
Opposition MPs argue that the Ćaćilend camp is effectively shielded and enabled by the Vučić regime, serving as a tool to harass political opponents and disrupt institutional normal functioning.
Ongoing Tensions
Earlier this week, MPs from Srce moved protective fencing toward Takovska Street and entered the section of tents, after which they were immediately surrounded by police, who demanded identification and ordered them to use the side entrance on Kosovska Street. This confrontation included heated exchanges and physical pushing.
The events highlight a worsening political climate in Serbia, where state institutions, police forces, and pro-government groups are increasingly mobilized to intimidate the opposition and obstruct parliamentary work, raising serious concerns about democratic standards and rule of law.
