Pop star Dua Lipa has lent her support to protests in Albania opposing a luxury resort development backed by Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. The £1.3 billion ($1.6 billion) project, planned for a protected stretch of coastline and the island of Sazan, has become a flashpoint for wider social unrest in the country.
Lipa, who was born in London to Kosovan Albanian parents, expressed her support for the movement during a recent podcast episode of her Service95 Book Club, where she spoke with Albanian author Lea Ypi. She described the protests, which have been dubbed the "Flamingo Revolution," as “inspiring” and voiced concern over the Albanian government’s decision to remove environmental protections from the site without public consultation.
The resort project covers roughly 1,400 acres, intended to span pristine Adriatic shoreline on the Zvernec peninsula as well as the former military island of Sazan. Plans include a marina capable of hosting 350 superyachts, a yacht club, extensive gardens, 600 townhouses, over 2,700 residential units, and 800 hotel rooms. The area is home to numerous protected species, including flamingos, Dalmatian pelicans, Mediterranean monk seals, and loggerhead turtles, highlighting environmentalists’ concerns.
The protests, which began after fencing and construction equipment appeared at the site in late May, quickly evolved into broader demonstrations against corruption, inadequate public services, and economic difficulties. Tens of thousands of Albanians have participated in marches calling for the government’s accountability, with many demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. The ruling centrist leader has faced increasing pressure amid the unrest but maintains that the project is a significant opportunity for Albania. Rama described the development as “a gift to Europe” and dismissed the protests as politically motivated opposition.
Ivanka Trump has been unapologetic about the size and ambitions of the resort, recounting how she and Kushner became interested in the location after visiting the area by yacht in 2021. The investment group purchased a coastal strip from Albanian businessman Artur Sherhuli, who is facing legal charges related to alleged drug trafficking and money laundering, accusations he denies.
Supporters of the protests emphasize environmental protection and democratic processes, criticizing the government's decision to downgrade the site’s protected status in favor of development. The European Union and various conservation organizations have warned the government that this move may breach international biodiversity commitments.
Meanwhile, the movement behind the Flamingo Revolution remains loosely organized but has become a potent symbol of opposition to what many Albanians see as unchecked political and economic power, environmental disregard, and broader governance challenges. Lipa has called for systemic change “from within the system,” underscoring the complex political and social dynamics surrounding the controversial resort project.