Kosovo MP throws smoke bombs to disrupt presidential election meeting

Opposition lawmakers in Kosovo on February 26 threw smoke bombs and tear gas during the parliamentary session to elect a new president.

Kosovo opposition lawmakers somehow escaped security checks to bring smoke bombs and tear gas into the Kosovo parliament's presidential election session and threw them, creating chaos, to protest the presidential candidate's pro-Serbia stance, according to RT.

The parliamentary session then continued but without the participation of 11 lawmakers who were expelled from the meeting room and lost their voting rights.

This move ultimately failed to prevent Kosovo's Foreign Minister and former Prime Minister Hashim Thaci from becoming the new president, replacing Atifete Jahjaga.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 and was recognized by more than 100 countries, including the United States and most EU members. Russia, Serbia and several other countries opposed the move. Serbia still considers Kosovo a southern province.

According to VNE