Albania's 'flamingo revolution' has gained its most prominent supporter yet, with pop star Dua Lipa expressing admiration for the protest movement against a Trump family-backed resort in the Balkan state. The demonstrations, now in their sixth week, oppose a €1.6bn (£1.36bn) real estate project that includes construction on Sazan, Albania's only island, and 10,000 villas on the Zvërnec peninsula.
Lipa's Intervention on 45th Day of Protests
The London-born singer, who was partially raised in Pristina by her Kosovan Albanian émigré parents, described the civic unrest as 'inspiring' during an appearance on her Service95 Book Club podcast with Albanian academic Lea Ypi. 'I find it so inspiring to see how much people really care,' Lipa said. Her comments were enthusiastically received on the 45th day of mass protests in Tirana, the Albanian capital.
Concerns Over Government Transparency
Lipa, 30, raised concerns about perceived government transparency after the Albanian parliament controversially amended stringent legislation in December 2024 to allow construction in environmentally sensitive areas. There is no evidence that Jared Kushner, the US president's son-in-law and lead investor, had any role in the change. 'What I actually find concerning is the principle that the government could just change the law to remove the environmental protection without any kind of public consultation,' Lipa told listeners.
Environmental and EU Implications
The project, backed by investors led by Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump, targets uninhabited areas considered nature reserves hosting vital ecosystems and wildlife for birdlife and other rare species in the Adriatic. MEPs have warned Albania, an EU candidate, that accession talks could be endangered if environmental standards are not upheld. Albania had hoped to join the bloc by 2030. Prime Minister Edi Rama has called the development 'a gift to Europe' and 'a blessing' for the nation, which remains among the poorest in the west more than 30 years after embracing democracy.
Conservation Group's Response
Aleksander Trajce, head of the Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), told the Guardian that Lipa's comments were 'fantastic but well-timed.' 'It was a very powerful statement. A lot of especially younger Albanians, who see her as an idol, have been inspired,' he said. 'This is the 45th day of our protests and there is no sign they are going to stop.' Trajce added that the government is now beginning to conduct an environmental impact study, but on Zvërnec 'the damage has already been done; works have taken place, there has been an environmental crime and people should be held accountable.'
Developers' Stance
Despite the protests, developers say they will progress responsibly, focusing on 'responsible stewardship, environmental enhancement, job creation and creating long-term value for local communities.' The project remains the biggest investment the erstwhile communist state has ever seen.
