It looks like the final straw… After several statements last week by representatives of the diplomatic corps in Belgrade regarding the nature of protests against lithium mining, it is time for the first Editorial for the European Western Balkans portal, which I have been editing since 2014.
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In mid-July, during our last Editorial meeting before the summer break, we discussed how the European Western Balkans portal would address this topic, primarily due to its importance for Serbia’s relations with the European Union and its member states. We know very little about lithium (aside from its place in the Periodic Table), and we are not well-versed in environmental protection regarding the mining and processing of ore. However, we have made statements regarding the Memorandum of Understanding between the EU and Serbia on the strategic partnership concerning sustainable raw materials, battery value chains, and electric vehicles, and its (non)connection to Serbia’s European integration. From us, that is quite enough…
As time passed, more citizens participated in protests across all major cities in Serbia and smaller towns in the western part of the country where the opening of mines is expected and exploratory work related to lithium is taking place. After more than 10 years in this profession, I understand the logic behind the protests – citizens do not trust those in power; they intuitively believe that particular financial interests have once again outweighed the common good. Let us just remember the false withdrawal from the project in 2022. I won’t even mention the 3% mining royalty Serbia receives or the company that has become globally notorious for how it secures its deals and profits.
Furthermore, I cannot say that citizens do not trust the institutions, because, let’s not deceive ourselves, it is clear to the people of Serbia that functional democratic institutions have long ceased to exist in this country – regardless of the significant reforms Ursula von der Leyen claimed to have seen. Which institution will oversee the high EU standards on environmental protection, workers’ rights, or any kind of corporate operations involved in opening mines? Will anyone monitor potential corruption? Will any inspection or prosecutor’s office ever respond to any problematic situation? Citizens’ experience tells them not to expect much.
In the protests organised by local organisations, which are mostly focused on environmental protection, all citizens participate – farmers, workers, Karen from the neighbourhood, and various people regardless of their ideology: conservatives, progressives, liberals, believers, atheists, those who are gay, those who consider themselves vegans, those who believe in a European future for Serbia, as well as those who do not wish for that at all. They all have different political views, which is entirely normal.
It’s not the first time that the authorities in Serbia have tried to link any form of public discontent to Russian influence in the country. We’ve grown accustomed to letters being sent to Brussels (and other capitals) with this subject, and to be honest, I believe no one takes them seriously. We shouldn’t be naive – the source of pro-Russian, anti-European, and generally anti-Western narratives in Serbia primarily comes from those in the inner circle of political power, along with the media under their direct control.
Considering the history of how this government operates in Serbia, I see no moral dilemma or issue with the fact that there are citizens who support Serbia’s membership in the EU while at the same time opposing this particular lithium mining and processing project. Quite the contrary, unlike some representatives of the diplomatic corps, I believe that among those protesting against lithium mining, more people advocate for a Serbia with functional democracy and the full rule of law, free from corruption and organised crime, and that resembles a more European – Serbia in the West.