Radicals, ex-Radicals in "hair pulling" incident

Serbia's parliament this afternoon saw a verbal and physical showdown take place between two MPs. Serb Radical Party (SRS) MP Sava Zivanovic and former Radical, now leader of the Serb Progressives (SNS) Tomislav Nikolic were involved. Radicals, ex-Radicals in "hair pulling" incident The latter was subsequently reprimanded for his behavior by Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, while Zivanovic was told to refrain from inappropriate remarks. The incident took place as Nikolic accused the Radicals of striking a deal with the ruling coalition, that would allegedly see the SRS drop the debate on their budget amendments. The Radicals protested this statement, and while Nikolic was returning to his seat, Zivanovic swore at him several times. Nikolic responded by pulling his hair. This was followed by a heated verbal exchange of the present SNS and SRS lawmakers. Nikolic then left the session, while the speaker called a recess. As parliament continued its work, Nikolic apologized to this institution and the citizens of Serbia, adding that he reacted in a way that his "organism demanded him to do". Despite the apology, Nikolic went on to say that he would "do it again", and asked the Radicals to enter disputes with him, "rather than his family". SRS whip Dragan Todorovic addressed parliament to say that "it is now abundantly clear that the events are being designed by the Democratic Party". "You are responsible for what's going on in parliament. Those who are not capable to behave in a civilized manner are responsible too. You are putting out certain information that brings people to a state of diminished mental competence," said Todorovic. All this came as a deadline for MPs to adopt the budget is looming on midnight Monday, when the regular session ends. Parliament reconvened this morning in Belgrade to debate amendments to a draft 2009 budget. A total of 247 amendments were submitted to the draft sent by the government, which accepted 13. The opposition Serb Radical Party (SRS) has the most amendments, 115, and its lawmakers are saying they will not forego the debate on their proposals. Today is the seventh day of the budget debate, while much of the previous sessions passed in discussions on violation of parliamentary procedures or in debates that steered away from the agenda. Still, Finance Minister Diana Dragutinovic and ruling SPS whip Branko Ruzic say they believe Serbia's new budget will be adopted in time.

Radicals, ex-Radicals in "hair pulling" incident

The latter was subsequently reprimanded for his behavior by Speaker Slavica Đukić-Dejanović, while Živanović was told to refrain from inappropriate remarks.

The incident took place as Nikolić accused the Radicals of striking a deal with the ruling coalition, that would allegedly see the SRS drop the debate on their budget amendments.

The Radicals protested this statement, and while Nikolić was returning to his seat, Živanović swore at him several times. Nikolić responded by pulling his hair.

This was followed by a heated verbal exchange of the present SNS and SRS lawmakers. Nikolić then left the session, while the speaker called a recess.

As parliament continued its work, Nikolić apologized to this institution and the citizens of Serbia, adding that he reacted in a way that his "organism demanded him to do".

Despite the apology, Nikolić went on to say that he would "do it again", and asked the Radicals to enter disputes with him, "rather than his family".

SRS whip Dragan Todorović addressed parliament to say that "it is now abundantly clear that the events are being designed by the Democratic Party".

"You are responsible for what's going on in parliament. Those who are not capable to behave in a civilized manner are responsible too. You are putting out certain information that brings people to a state of diminished mental competence," said Todorović.

All this came as a deadline for MPs to adopt the budget is looming on midnight Monday, when the regular session ends.

Parliament reconvened this morning in Belgrade to debate amendments to a draft 2009 budget.

A total of 247 amendments were submitted to the draft sent by the government, which accepted 13.

The opposition Serb Radical Party (SRS) has the most amendments, 115, and its lawmakers are saying they will not forego the debate on their proposals.

Today is the seventh day of the budget debate, while much of the previous sessions passed in discussions on violation of parliamentary procedures or in debates that steered away from the agenda.

Still, Finance Minister Diana Dragutinović and ruling SPS whip Branko Ružić say they believe Serbia's new budget will be adopted in time.