In Serbia, losing a job for lacking political connections or refusing to participate in party activities is not uncommon, but now even environmental activism appears to be a risk factor. Vujica Stevanovic, a school psychologist in Trgoviste, recently experienced this after protesting lithium mining, an issue dividing communities and raising environmental concerns in Serbia. Pročitaj više

Thirty-seven-year-old Stevanovic first appeared publicly on camera at a protest in Vranje in August, where he voiced concerns about lithium mining, particularly in the village of Klinovac. „We’re in a situation where fear is no longer an option,“ he said at the protest. „If we continue to be afraid, there won’t be a state, a nation, or any of us left. My village was marked on Rio Tinto’s exploration map; mining here would devastate our land, the south, and the entire country.“

Shortly afterward, Stevanovic was informed that his five-year employment contract would not be renewed, reportedly due to orders from local officials. Nenad Krstic, a senior figure in the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and a longstanding leader in Trgoviste, is allegedly behind the decision.

“Krstic is known to control hiring and dismissals,” noted Dragan Antic, a local teacher who condemned what he called a politically motivated move. “He’s the director of all schools here; he hires and fires as he pleases.” Stevanovic believes this is part of a larger system in which principals are expected to follow political instructions, prioritizing loyalty over qualifications.

Reflecting on his dismissal, Stevanovic acknowledged the loss but described it as a motivator. „Losing my job is minor compared to what others have suffered for not toeing the line,“ he remarked.

On Serbian Teachers’ Day, Stevanovic and Antic shared a message: „We are degraded by people in power who were once the worst students. Now, they decide who teaches and who doesn’t,“ Antic said, calling the political influence on education harmful and unfair.

Stevanovic encouraged colleagues not to be silent: „We can’t afford the luxury of being cowards. We all need to contribute, show courage, and fight for our country and future.”