MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters and blow whistles in chaotic scenes in Kosovo parliament amid backlash over deal giving Serbs greater powers. MPs launch tear gas canisters and blow whistles in chaotic scenes in Kosovo parliament amid backlash over deal giving Serbs greater powers Several politicians were injured when opposition MPs launched tear gas Protesting politicians are trying to stonewall a new deal with Serbia The EU-sponsored deal would give Serb-majority regions greater powers Ruling coalition denounced the 'violence' and pleaded for civilised debate Chaotic scenes erupted in the Kosovo parliament today when opposition MPs used tear gas and whistles to disrupt the government's latest deal with Serbia. Several politicians were injured in the violence, sparked by an EU-sponsored deal which will give the country's Serb-majority areas greater powers. The opposition wants the government to backtrack from the deal, saying it endangers Kosovo's territorial integrity. The ruling coalition condemned the act of protest, claiming several politicians were injured and needed medical assistance The governing coalition accuses the opposition of trying to rise to power through unconstitutional means. A statement from the government deplored 'the violence of a group of the opposition... from which some lawmakers were injured and asked for medical assistance.' Kosovo's President Atifete Jahjaga denounced the 'nasty actions of the opposition's lawmakers'. She said: 'Conceptual and political disagreements should be debated with the power of argument and parliamentary culture.' Despite the tear gas, Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli continued the session, inviting the opposition to take part in the debate on the deals with Serbia to 'together express our reservations, or displeasure, or support for the Brussels agreement.' He added: 'What is happening is not patriotism and it is not helping Kosovo.' Opposition lawmaker Glauk Konjufca of the Vetevendosje (Self-Determination) Party said the protests at the weekly sessions on Thursdays would continue. This was the third straight disturbance. '[We are] blocking parliamentary life in Kosovo to reject what the government signed and we ask the government to withdraw its signature from the recent agreements with Serbia, especially this about the establishment of the Serbian association of municipalities,' he said. Opposition MPs vowed to continue the disruptions every Thursday after today's event marks the third disturbance in the past three weeks The U.S. Embassy said some of its staff members in Pristina were among those injured in the disturbance, which it said made 'a mockery of one of Kosovo's most important democratic institutions.' Prime Minister Isa Mustafa escaped untouched when eggs were thrown on a street earlier this week. He was the target of more eggs hurled by opposition lawmakers last month when he was escorted out of Parliament, assisted by bodyguards protecting him with an umbrella. Serbia rejects Kosovo's 2008 secession, already recognized by more than 100 countries. Mustafa's Democratic Party and his deputy and Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci's Democratic League of Kosovo hold 68 of the 120 parliamentary seats. MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters and blow whistles in chaotic scenes in Kosovo parliament amid backlash over deal giving Serbs greater powers. MPs launch tear gas canisters and blow whistles in chaotic scenes in Kosovo parliament amid backlash over deal giving Serbs greater powers Several politicians were injured when opposition MPs launched tear gas Protesting politicians are trying to stonewall a new deal with Serbia The EU-sponsored deal would give Serb-majority regions greater powers MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters and blow whistles in chaotic scenes in Kosovo parliament amid backlash over deal giving Serbs greater powers. MPs launch tear gas canisters and blow whistles in chaotic scenes in Kosovo parliament amid backlash over deal giving Serbs greater powers Several politicians were injured when opposition MPs launched tear gas Protesting politicians are trying to stonewall a new deal with Serbia The EU-sponsored deal would give Serb-majority regions greater powers MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters in Kosovo parliament MPs launch tear gas canisters and blow whistles in chaotic scenes in Kosovo parliament amid backlash over deal giving Serbs greater powers.

• published: 08 Oct 2015
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