Although political tensions usually ease during the summer, the serious announcements by the ruling parties to begin lithium mining have led to protests against the “Jadar” project across almost all parts of Serbia. The widespread mobilization is driven by fears that the project will have detrimental effects on the broader environment of western Serbia and that this part of the country will serve as an experiment for untested lithium extraction technologies. Fear and emotional charge are powerful tools in politics, and for the first time in a long while, a movement not connected to the government is successfully using emotions to organize.
This not only facilitates political mobilization and increases the number of participants in protests but also makes it difficult for the government to legitimize the project. Furthermore, the project is entrusted to a large multinational corporation and involves a political agreement between the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and Germany and the European Union, providing fertile ground for those usually uninterested in politics to take a stand.
An illustration of the importance of lithium mining is that even the largest football fan groups in Serbia have voiced their opinions on the matter, especially as protests coincided with the start of the football season. Typically, these groups comment on “non-political” topics like Kosovo, fraternal relations with Russia, Pride parades, etc.
The “Jadar” project is a significant test for the SNS, and so far, it appears they are struggling to build a narrative that simultaneously justifies the project and discredits its opponents. Protest organizers are refusing to closely collaborate with opposition parties, undermining the government’s argument that this is a political exploitation of the issue by those lacking majority support.
Foreign Agents
Usually, when protests are organized, the government accuses organizers of being foreign agents undermining national unity and halting Serbia’s development. This narrative is ineffective this time. Rio Tinto is already disliked in the Serbian public, and many know it is a British-Australian multinational corporation—thus, the motive of betraying national interests cannot be applied to the opposition. Instead, the government is accused of treachery, further fueled by the recent visits of the German chancellor and EU officials. In the depoliticized context of Serbian politics, where there is little room for sophisticated debates, being labeled as traitors cooperating with foreign entities significantly reduces political credibility.
In such a scenario, accusations that the protests are backed by “pro-NATO opposition parties” or “Serb-haters prioritizing personal over national interests” are increasingly met with ridicule. Previously, such narratives would elicit reactions from the politically unaligned public; now, it’s clear they are spins by the ruling party. The connection between the opposition and the “foreign factor” on the lithium issue does not exist, while the government struggles to shake off the image of succumbing to Western pressures. Vučić is no longer seen as a sovereign leader in control but rather as someone collaborating with a multinational corporation, Germany, and the EU in handing over natural resources.
More Important Issues
Another line of argument claims that those protesting against lithium mining are “neglecting” more important issues. The opposition previously argued that Vučić, when confronted with an unfavorable topic, would influence public opinion through orchestrated incidents. This time, the government employs this tactic, with Kosovo being the supposed neglected issue. “You all talk about Jadarite, but no one asks about Kosovo,” read a banner from Delije, the supporters of Serbia’s most popular football club, at a recent match. The connections between the biggest football supporter group in Serbia and the ruling party are well-known.
While all other supporter groups have unequivocally condemned the lithium mining project, Delije have downplayed the issue. Their need to issue a statement about the banner indicates the pressure. They claimed “superficial nationalists and disgusting liberals” are attacking true Serbian patriots. Lithium mining is “extremely politicized,” political ecology is used to push agendas beyond environmental protection, and worst of all, the Kosovo issue becomes less significant. Instead of focusing primarily on Kosovo, Serbian society has fallen for the opposition’s insistence on the “Jadar” project.
It seems the vast majority in Serbia do not support lithium mining and are willing to engage on this issue. There is no room for compromise: either mining will proceed, or the project will be halted. The government has promised to carry out the project, with high stakes involved. Is the narrative against mining somewhat conservative and nationalist? Undoubtedly. Should the opposition make it easier for the ruling parties? Certainly not. There is a need for an articulated left-wing political position to critique the government, the “Jadar” project, and the international actors supporting both.
Source : Bilten
