Dua Lipa's admiration for Albania's 'flamingo revolution' has sparked a flurry of interest in the UK. The London-born pop sensation, whose parents are Kosovan Albanian, has expressed her support for the ongoing protests against the Kushner-backed resort project on the Sazan island and Zvërnec peninsula. With its £0.85 billion price tag, this ambitious real estate venture poses significant environmental concerns, as well as raising questions about governmental transparency in Albania.
The development plans to construct 10,000 villas in a nature reserve along the Zvërnec peninsula, and widespread construction on Sazan island – both of which are uninhabited and home to rare species. The project's fast-tracked approval after a controversial amendment to environmental legislation by the Albanian parliament has fuelled public discontent. Lipa highlighted concerns that this change was implemented without public consultation, echoing sentiments among protesters who fear for the future of Albania's natural heritage.
While there is no evidence of direct influence from Kushner on the legislative change, the timing and nature of the amendment have exacerbated tensions between the government and environmental activists. Prime Minister Edi Rama touts the project as a 'gift to Europe' but MEPs warn that if Albania fails to uphold environmental standards, it risks jeopardising its EU accession hopes by 2030.
Lipa's intervention has been met with enthusiasm among Albanian protesters, who view her comments as a significant boost to their cause. The Protection and Preservation of the Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA) head, Aleksander Trajce, praised Lipa's 'fantastic' comments, highlighting their impact on younger activists.