Pop star Dua Lipa has publicly backed the massive anti-government protests in Albania, calling the public’s resistance "inspiring".

 

Dua Lipa calls Albanian protests against Jared Kushner-backed resort ‘inspiring’

Pop star Dua Lipa has publicly backed the massive anti-government protests in Albania, calling the public’s resistance "inspiring". The demonstrations, nicknamed the "Flamingo Revolution," are directed against a controversial $1.6 billion coastal luxury resort project backed by Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump.

What Dua Lipa Said

Speaking on an episode of her Service95 Book Club podcast during an interview with Albanian author Lea Ypi, the 30-year-old singer—who has Kosovan-Albanian parents and holds Albanian citizenship—criticized the government's lack of transparency.

• On Policy Changes: “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 stated.
• On the Public Resistance: “I find it so inspiring to see how much people really care.”
• On Systemic Issues: She added that the problems are structural, highlighting a need to rebuild "in a way that supports the people."

Context of the "Flamingo Revolution"

The protests in the capital city of Tirana have reached their 45th consecutive day. What began as an environmental defense movement has morphed into a broader, historic pushback against the administration of Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Key Aspect	Details
The Project	A multi-billion-dollar luxury villa and hotel development on the uninhabited Sazan Island (a former military base) and the Zvërnec peninsula.
Environmental Threat	The targeted areas are critical Mediterranean nature reserves. Zvërnec is a protected wetland hosting vital ecosystems, marine life, and thousands of migrating flamingos.
Legislative Backdoor	In December 2024, the Albanian parliament controversially amended strict conservation laws to fast-track construction in sensitive zones.
Broader Grievances	Public outrage has expanded to target widespread government corruption, low wages, poor public services, and the rising cost of living.

Impact of Her Statements

Lipa's comments were enthusiastically celebrated by organizers and leading conservation groups, such as the Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA). Activists noted that her massive global platform will help amplify the movement internationally and further energize the youth demographic that views her as an idol.

Despite the daily rallies and growing international scrutiny—including warnings from European Parliament members that the environmental deregulation could jeopardize Albania’s EU accession goals—Prime Minister Rama has dug in, stating there is "absolutely no chance" the investments will be halted