Protests against mining projects and pollution in Serbia

by Cristian Florescu

Protesters turned out in Belgrade, Novi Sad and other towns on November 27 in protest against legislation they say favour foreign investors — specifically Rio Tinto, which is trying to develop the giant Jadar lithium project in the country. There were several clashes between police and protesters, who blocked roads and bridges, write intellinews.com

Hundreds of people joined the protest action on November 27 when activists blocked roads and bridges for one hour. Several clashes with police were reported. The most serious incident was in Sabac, western Serbia, where activists videoed an excavator they said was driven by supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) trying to drive through a group of protesters. One of the protesters, who climbed into the vehicle and managed to switch off the engine, was arrested. 

In Novi Sad, a large crowd of people blocked Duga Bridge and scuffled with police who tried to move them aside to allow traffic to pass. Several arrests were made. 

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic criticised the protesters for restricting movement and freedom “something that no one had done for decades”, local media reported. 

This was followed by a protest in downtown Belgrade on November 28 that the organisers said was attended by between 15,000 and 20,000 people. (Serbian state media say the total was considerably lower.)

Coal has a large share in Serbia’s energy mix and air pollution from coal power is a problem across most of the Western Balkans region, as well as beyond its borders. 

While Rio Tinto’s Jadar project was the focus of the November 27 protests, there are also concerns about pollution from the country’s coal-fired power plants and major industrial companies such as Zijin Bor and the HBIS steel mill, which have both been acquired by Chinese investors in recent years. 

More protests against air pollution are planned across the country on December 12.

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