Serbia's populist president says lithium protests are part of a 'hybrid' warfare against his country

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Serbia’s president Sunday accused demonstrators who opposed a lithium mining project in the Balkan country of being part of a Western-backed “hybrid” warfare against his government and vowed to take strong legal action against those protesters who have blocked railway and road traffic in the capital a day earlier.

In one of the biggest protests in recent years, tens of thousands took to the streets in the capital, Belgrade, Saturday against lithium mining in Serbia, despite officials’ warnings of their alleged plot to unseat populist President Aleksandar Vučić and his government.

Some of the protesters later blocked tracks at two railway stations in the city, and briefly stopped traffic on a major highway. Riot police early Sunday pushed them out of the railway stations with their riot shields.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said 14 people have been brought in for questioning. Police are working to identify all the perpetrators who will face charges, he said.

Vucic told reporters Sunday that although the main protest was done democratically, the blockage of traffic on the highway amounted to "terror of the minority over the majority.”

“It is part of the hybrid approach” designed to topple the government, Vucic told reporters. “We knew everything in detail. You think you have surprised someone... we have always been restrained, without violence we ensured order in the country, without a problem.”

Vučić said last week he had been tipped off by Russian intelligence services that a “mass unrest and a coup” were being prepared in Serbia by unspecified Western powers that wish to oust him from power.

Government officials and state-controlled media have launched a major campaign against the Saturday rally, comparing it to the Maidan uprising in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, that led to the toppling of the country’s then pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych in 2013. Organizers of the Belgrade protest have repeatedly denied those charges.

Satuday's demonstration came after weeks of protests in dozens of cities throughout Serbia against a government plan to allow lithium mining in a lush farming valley in the west of the country.

This plan was scrapped in 2022 after large demonstrations were held that included the blocking of key bridges and roads. But it was revived last month and received a boost in a tentative deal on “critical raw materials” signed by Vučić’s government with the European Union.

The Balkan nation is formally seeking EU membership while maintaining very close ties with both Russia and China. The EU memorandum on the mining of lithium and other key materials needed for the green transition would bring Serbia closer to the bloc, and would reduce Europe’s lithium battery and electric car dependency on China.

While the government insists that the mine is an opportunity for economic development, critics say it would inflict irreparable pollution on the Jadar valley, along with its crucial underground water reserves and farming land.

Vučić said Sunday there will be no lithium mining in the next two years while all the risks are being investigated, in an apparent attempt to pacify critics. He also offered a referendum on the issue — something unlikely to be considered by the environmentalists with Vučić’s alleged history of rigging votes in his favor.

People attend a protest against pollution and the exploitation of a lithium mine in the country, in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Thousands were gathering Saturday at a rally against lithium mining in Serbia despite government warnings of alleged planned unrest designed to topple the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

People attend a protest against pollution and the exploitation of a lithium mine in the country in Belgrade, Serbia, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024. Thousands were gathering Saturday at a rally against lithium mining in Serbia despite government warnings of alleged planned unrest designed to topple the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a public address, a day after one of the biggest protests in years in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. Vucic said earlier he had been tipped off by Russian intelligence services that a "mass unrest and a coup" were being prepared in Serbia by unspecified Western powers that wish to oust him from power. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic gestures during a public address, a day after one of the biggest protests in years in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. Vucic said earlier he had been tipped off by Russian intelligence services that a "mass unrest and a coup" were being prepared in Serbia by unspecified Western powers that wish to oust him from power. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic speaks during a public address, a day after one of the biggest protests in years in Belgrade, Serbia, Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024. Vucic said earlier he had been tipped off by Russian intelligence services that a "mass unrest and a coup" were being prepared in Serbia by unspecified Western powers that wish to oust him from power. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jake Bauers hit an RBI single in the ninth inning and the Milwaukee Brewers, who had clinched the NL Central earlier when the Cubs lost, beat Philadelphia 2-1 on Wednesday night to prevent the Phillies from securing a playoff berth.

Bauers' hit off Phillies closer Carlos Estévez (4-5) scored Jackson Chourio, who had tripled.

“I think the vibe in the clubhouse all day was, that's great that we (clinched), but we need to win this game," Bauers said. “It was intense, man, it was intense. You could feel the pressure."

Milwaukee closer Devin Williams (1-0) struck out Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh in order in the ninth.

Milwaukee clinched its second straight division title and made the playoffs for the sixth time in the last seven seasons by virtue of the Chicago Cubs’ 5-3 loss to the Oakland Athletics Wednesday. Chicago is still fighting for a wild card.

Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta, making his career-high 31st start of the season, allowed one run on two hits in five innings, striking out nine and walking two.

Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola, second in the NL in innings pitched, went seven innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out nine and walking one. He had given up 10 earned runs in nine innings in his previous two starts.

“My command was pretty good, I was getting early outs,” Nola said.

“They're definitely a grinding team. Just trying to execute my pitches and get first-pitch strikes and get the leadoff guy out.”

The teams struck out 28 times combined.

Phillies batters struck out 16 times Tuesday and 16 times Wednesday.

“Two really good teams, low scoring, tight games," Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. "Those are the games you certainly like to win and hate to lose.”

Milwaukee took the series, winning 6-2 on Monday. Philadelphia won 5-1 on Tuesday.

Bohm gave Philadelphia a 1-0 lead in the second inning with his first home run since Aug. 15.

Rhys Hoskins’ 25th homer tied the game in the fifth inning. The former Phillie also doubled.

“Are you surprised? Of course you're not surprised," Hoskins said of the come-from-behind win. "That's what we've been doing all year.”

Milwaukee right-hander Joe Ross allowed a single and a walk upon taking over for Peralta to start the sixth inning. But Ross retired Nick Castellanos and Bohm before being replaced by left-hander Jared Koenig, who got Stott to ground out on the first pitch.

After Chourio's leadoff triple in the ninth, Estévez intentionally walked William Contreras, struck out Garrett Mitchell and walked Willy Adames, loading the bases before Bauers' single.

“Everybody was doubting us at the beginning, that we were going to be able to do this," Adames said. “We proved them wrong. Hopefully we can go all the way and win it all.”

The Phillies’ magic number to qualify for the playoffs is one, and four to clinch the NL East.

The Phillies made the playoffs the past two seasons, losing to Arizona in the 2023 NL Championship Series and to Houston in the 2022 World Series.

UP NEXT

Phillies: Open a four-game series Thursday in New York against the Mets, who are battling for a wild card. Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (3-6, 6.29 ERA) faces RHP Luis Severino (10-6, 3.77).

Brewers: Open a four-game series Thursday in Milwaukee against Arizona with RHP Tobias Myers (8-5, 3.07 ERA). The wild card-contending Diamondbacks will start RHP Brandon Pfaadt (9-9, 4.81).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Milwaukee Brewers' Jackson Chourio reacts after hitting a triple during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies' Kyle Schwarber hits a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins hits a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola throws during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Devin Williams reacts after striking out Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh during the ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Rhys Hoskins is congratulated after hitting a home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

The Milwaukee Brewers celebrate after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. The Brewers won 2-1 and clinched the National League Central division. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers reacts after hitting a walk-off RBI single after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Milwaukee Brewers' Jake Bauers is congratulated by Devin Williams and Garrett Mitchell after hitting a walk-off RBI single after a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)