Serbia wildfire response marked by political disputes and funding denials

Tensions are rising in Serbia as political figures and volunteer services clash over the management of recent wildfires and the role of student protesters. Darko Glišić, Minister for Public Investments, has accused students in blockades and their supporters of being responsible for fires breaking out across the country, though he provided no specific evidence to support these claims.

In contrast, Predrag Matović, president of the Bogutovac Volunteer Firefighting Society ‘Padobranac’, stated that the organization has been denied state budget funds and local project support for essential vehicles due to their political support for the student movement. Despite these funding issues, members of the society have been actively fighting fires at Stolovi for 20 days, relying on donations from students and citizens for equipment and supplies.

The political opposition, including the SRCE party, has criticized the government for failing to request timely international aid from the EU and Russia, arguing that delayed responses have exacerbated the ecological damage in areas like Deliblatska Peščara.