Tens of thousands of people protest against lithium mining in Serbia
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić (photo: Getty Images)
On Saturday, tens of thousands of protesters in Serbia took to the streets against lithium mining in the country. Meanwhile, government officials have alleged a potential conspiracy aimed at overthrowing President Aleksandar Vučić and his administration, reports AP.
Earlier, Vučić claimed that Russian intelligence had provided him with information suggesting that Western countries were preparing mass unrest and a coup in Serbia to remove him from power.
The crowd chanted: “There will be no mining” and “Treason, treason.”
After the demonstration, some protesters headed to the two main railway stations in the capital, vowing to block train traffic until their demands for an official ban on lithium mining were met.
Government officials and state-controlled media launched a large-scale campaign against the protest, comparing it to the events of the Kyiv Maidan. Meanwhile, protest organizers asserted that their rally was peaceful.
“Our rally today is ecological and has no political ambitions, but the government has accused us of seeking to stage a coup,” actor Svetlana Bojković said.
What preceded this
The demonstration in Belgrade followed weeks of protests across dozens of cities in Serbia against the government's plan to allow lithium mining in a green agricultural valley in the western part of the country.
This plan has been in place in Serbia for some time. It was cancelled in 2022 after large-scale protests, which included blockades of key bridges and roads. However, last month, the plan was revived and reinforced by a preliminary agreement on critical raw materials, signed by Vučić’s government with the European Union.
The Balkan country formally aspires to join the EU while maintaining very close ties with both Russia and China. The EU memorandum on lithium and other critical materials needed for the green transition is expected to bring Serbia closer to the bloc and reduce Europe’s import of lithium batteries and electric vehicles from China.
Criticism of the plan
Opponents of the government's decision argue that its implementation will result in irreversible pollution of the Jadar Valley, including its crucial groundwater reserves and agricultural lands.
Residents of the valley are staunchly opposed to the mine, which will be operated by the multinational mining company Rio Tinto. Both the government and the company have pledged to adhere to the highest environmental standards during the mining process, but critics remain unconvinced.
Tens of thousands of people have participated in environmental protection rallies across Serbia over the past few weeks, presenting a significant challenge to Vučić and his increasingly autocratic rule. Protesters are calling for a formal ban on any lithium and boron mining in Serbia.
Vučić stated that Serbia aims to join the EU and is loyal to Europe, citing that only Europe has access to Serbia's lithium reserves.
Deutsche Welle notes that lithium mining could become Serbia’s gateway to the EU. The publication, citing an interview, reports that Belgrade has made a strategic decision to develop the largest lithium deposit in Europe in partnership with Germany and the EU, rather than with China.
