Vucic: Lithium Not Real Issue, Protests Aimed at Rio Tinto

Aleksandar Vucic

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said that the current protests in the country are, in fact, not against the exploitation of lithium but rather specifically against Rio Tinto, adding that most protesters want another company to handle the mining.

"What's going on is that some people want another company to handle [the exploitation of lithium]. [These people] are working for the interests of another company, we have information about this as well," Vucic said during a special address from the Presidency building in the evening of Dec. 1.

Vucic further stated that he has no intention of sending the controversial law on expropriation back to Parliament and that the protests will remain "of no interest" to him unless the law is breached or property is destroyed. Those citizens, he added, who are genuinely concerned over the environment have no cause for worry, because no final decision has been made and any such decision shall be reached together with the people.

"Blocking roads and freeways is against every law and the Serbian Constitution, as [is the case in] every civilized country in the world. [The protesters] must know that their actions are illegal," Vucic repeated, advising the police to let the protesters be and "show all of Serbia just how long this abuse can last."

The president also mentioned that serious analyses were conducted regarding Europe's lithium deposits and added that these studies had nothing to do with Rio Tinto, but were aimed at determining what Serbia could gain.