Kosovar Opposition Throws Tear Gas In Parliament, Again

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Opposition lawmakers in Kosovo have, once again, released tear gas in parliament as they try to pressure the government into renouncing deals with Serbia and Montenegro.

Clouds of smoke from two tear gas canisters forced lawmakers out of the debating chamber on December 14, the latest in a series of disruptions caused by the opposition since mid-September.

A coalition of opposition lawmakers has vowed to prevent any session of parliament from taking place until Kosovo’s government renounces a deal with Serbia that gives more powers to ethnic Serbs in Kosovo and a border demarcation deal with Montenegro.

If the government refuses, the opposition wants a referendum on the issue or for fresh elections to be called.

The opposition has repeatedly disrupted parliament since September with tear gas, pepper spray, whistles, and throwing water bottles.

The EU has called for dialogue, saying that disruptions of parliament with tear gas are "neither acceptable nor will it solve any problem for the citizens of Kosovo."

Based on reporting by AP and AFP