Lithium mine protests grip Belgrade as thousands rally for change

Thousands of people took to the streets of Belgrade on Saturday to protest against the plan to open a lithium mine in Serbia. "This is an environmental protest, but also a political one, driven by a complete lack of trust in our authorities," said the demonstration participant Milosz.

Serbia's Interior Minister Ivica Dacic, citing police data, reported that between 24,000 and 27,000 people participated in Saturday's protest in Belgrade against lithium exploitation. Some blocked the tracks at two major railway stations in the capital.

The protest was organised on the day marking the expiration of a 40-day period given to the government to pass a law on a permanent ban on geological research and the exploitation of lithium and boron in Serbia.

Thousands of participants gathered at 6 PM Greenwich Time in Belgrade's central square, from where they started marching towards the busiest bridge over the Sava River. The organisers called on the protesters to block the bridge.

"There's no turning back, we will defend Serbia," emphasised activist Zlatko Kokanovic, calling on the gathered to protest peacefully.

"I am here because I am tired of lies and manipulation by the authorities. Three years ago, I protested against the same thing, and we were promised then that the issue was settled. Today, I have to take to the streets once again because we have been lied to again," explained 35-year-old Milosz.

"I don't believe in assurances that anyone will care for our health, country, or the environment. They tell us that the whole country will benefit, but only the elites will get richer, and the people, as usual, will bear the consequences," emphasised 25-year-old Jovana.

The protest featured numerous banners, including "Stop Rio Tinto" and "No to Mining and Exploitation." Participants continuously shouted accusations of betrayal directed at the Serbian authorities.

The march proceeded peacefully, although a small "counter-protest" gathered nearby, with participants carrying Serbian and Russian flags and wooden Orthodox crosses.

The country's highest authorities accused the organizers of wanting to forcibly remove the government before the protest. President Aleksandar Vucic announced that he had received information from Russian services about a planned coup d'état in Serbia. Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin, according to Serbian media, compared the demonstrations to colour revolutions, accusing "Western services" of organising them.

Saturday's protest in Belgrade was preceded by a series of demonstrations organised over the past two weeks in many cities across Serbia. They were sparked by the government's decision to revive the Jadar project, which would see international corporation Rio Tinto start exploiting Serbia's lithium deposits. The project was halted in early 2022 following mass social protests.

On 19 July, a memorandum of understanding was signed in Belgrade between the EU and Serbia regarding a strategic partnership for sustainable raw materials, battery production chains, and electric vehicles. Vucic announced that Serbia could start metal extraction in 2028. This decision sparked massive opposition. "The government has declared war on its people," said opposition MP Aleksandar Jovanovic Ćuta.

The deposits located in western Serbia are considered some of the largest in Europe.