Lockdown protesters storm Serbian parliament
Chaos kicked off at Serbia's parliament on Tuesday (July 7) when a group of opposition supporters stormed the building in Belgrade.
They were protesting a lockdown planned for the capital this weekend that's being implemented to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Serbian President Aleksander Vucic said on Tuesday evening that stricter measures were necessary due to a spike in infections.
Following his statement, several thousand people gathered in Belgrade's central square.
A small group of demonstrators pushed past a police cordon, broke through a door and entered the parliament building.
The crowd demanded Vucic's resignation, shouting "Serbia has risen."
Police responded with teargas and forced the crowds back.
Opponents have pinned the increase on the government.
And say people should not have to pay the price and tolerate another lockdown.
Serbia, a country of 7 million people, marked an increase of at least 13 deaths on Tuesday.
Doctors have warned that hospitals are already running at full capacity - and that medical workers are tired.
Serbia initially introduced a lockdown in early March.
But in late May, the Balkan country opened up and set elections for June 21.
During the campaign, Vucic's ruling Serbian Progressive Party organized rallies at which people did not wear masks.
Top party officials were also infected after celebrating their victory - leading opposition parties to criticize Vucic for using the lockdowns to strengthen what they call his autocratic rule.
