Does the new EU-Serbia lithium deal undermine democracy? A Debrief with Ivan Vejvoda

#BalkansDebrief

The European Union's recent memorandum of understanding with Serbia on raw materials has sparked debate across the Balkans. Signed during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit, the MoU revives a controversial lithium mining project, drawing opposition from many Serbians. In this episode, Nonresident Senior Fellow Ilva Tare is joined by Ivan Vejvoda, Permanent Fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences and Head of Europe’s Futures Project in Vienna, to dissect this complex issue. Does Mr. Vejvoda share the criticism that the EU and Germany are prioritizing lithium access in Serbia over essential democratic principles like environmental protection, rule of law, and independent media? With concerns about weak independent institutions and a critical public sphere in Serbia, can the country uphold high environmental and social standards? How can the EU ensure that such agreements maintain rigorous environmental and social principles? Could this agreement reduce Serbia’s reliance on China, and what might be the broader geopolitical implications? Join #BalkansDebrief for an in-depth discussion on the potential impacts of this deal and the geoeconomic and geopolitical interests of the EU in the Western Balkans.