Serbia investigates alleged coup plot amid lithium mine protests
President Aleksandar Vučić revealed on N1 television that, according to information provided to him by Russian services, a coup is being prepared in Serbia. "The relevant services are investigating the reports," he said.
“Those who want to achieve some goals by force are making a mistake. Serbia is developing, and no one can stop this,” emphasised the Serbian president, among other things, reacting to the ongoing protests in the country.
Deputy Prime Minister on protests
Aleksandar Vulin, Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia, compared the protests against the planned opening of a lithium mine, which have been ongoing for over two weeks, to previous colour revolutions that have taken place in various European countries.
“This is a classic scenario of colour revolutions. We have seen this more than once; we saw this in Ukraine. This is an attempt at a new Maidan, and you can be 100 per cent sure of it,” stated Vulin, blaming "Western services" for involvement in organising these demonstrations.
Restarting the Jadar project
The protests were triggered by the Serbian government's decision to resume the Jadar project, which includes the exploitation of lithium deposits by the international company Rio Tinto. This project was halted in 2022 after mass protests by the population.
On 19 July, an agreement was signed in Belgrade between Serbia and the European Union regarding strategic partnership in the field of sustainable raw materials, battery production, and electric vehicles.
President Vučić announced that Serbia plans to start lithium mining in 2028. The upcoming results of the strategic partnership may reveal the full potential of Serbia's deposits, located in the western part of the country and considered some of the largest in Europe.
