A protest against lithium mining in Serbia took place in Berlin, drawing attention to the perceived double standards of the German industry. The demonstration, held in front of the Futurium building near Berlin’s main train station, was organized by people from the former Yugoslavia and environmental activists from across the globe. Protesters aimed to highlight the contrast between Germany’s advocacy for ecologically sustainable production at home and its support for lithium extraction in Serbia, which they argue harms the environment.
Around several dozen demonstrators attended the event, including members of the Serbian community in Berlin and left-wing activists. They voiced dissatisfaction with the policies of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, particularly his support for Rio Tinto and their controversial mining projects in Serbia.
One of the protest organizers, Krunoslav Stojakovic, stated that the protest was strategically held in front of the Futurium, where the German Association of Industrialists was hosting a congress on the environmental development of industry. He criticized the German industry for promoting sustainable practices at home while supporting environmentally damaging lithium exploitation abroad.
The protest attracted citizens from Serbia and other former Yugoslav republics living in Berlin, who are concerned about the potential environmental and water supply issues that lithium mining could cause in Serbia. They also pointed to the negative impacts of similar mining projects in other countries.
