Two of the largest European media outlets, Germany's Der Spiegel and Britain's The Guardian, have echoed the support that the world-famous Albanian singer has given to the civic protest in Albania, focusing particularly on her stance against construction in the protected areas of Sazan and Zvërnec.
In an article titled "Dua Lipa comes out against the Trump clan's Albanian plans," Der Spiegel writes that a luxury resort planned by Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, in a protected natural area, "is bringing Albanians out onto the streets," while emphasizing that Dua Lipa has given support to the protesters.
German media quotes the singer's statement on the "Service95 Book Club" podcast, during a conversation with Albanian political scientist and philosopher Lea Ypi, where Dua Lipa describes as " worrying " the possibility that a government "simply changes a law to bypass environmental protection conditions."
"I find it so inspiring to see how much people care about this issue ," said Dua Lipa, referring to the weeks-long civic protest in Tirana. She added that the country's economy should be built in a way "that serves the people."
Der Spiegel writes that the protests in Albania were sparked by plans to build a luxury hotel in the protected area of Zvërnec, on the country's southwestern coast, a project linked to Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner. According to German media, the protests began after barbed wire and bulldozers appeared on the beaches of Zvërnec in late May.
The Guardian has also dedicated a lengthy article to Dua Lipa's intervention, writing that the "Flamingo Revolution" in Albania has gained its most prominent supporter yet. The British media highlights that the pop star has expressed admiration for the protest movement against the Trump family-backed resort.
According to The Guardian, Dua Lipa has called Albanian protests against Kushner's resort " inspiring ," while raising questions about the Albanian government's transparency after legal changes that paved the way for construction in environmentally sensitive areas.
"What actually concerns me is the principle that the government can change the law to remove environmental protections without any kind of public consultation," Dua Lipa said.
British media reports that the multi-billion-euro project envisages major developments on Sazan, Albania's only island, as well as thousands of villas on the Zvërnec peninsula. Both areas are considered important for ecosystems and wildlife, including migratory birds and flamingos.
The Guardian also highlights that MEPs have warned Albania that European Union membership talks could be jeopardized if environmental standards are not respected.
Dua Lipa's intervention, according to British media, was enthusiastically received on the 45th day of protests in Tirana. Aleksandër Trajçe, head of the PPNEA organization, called the singer's statement " fantastic " and "timely", emphasizing that many young Albanians have been inspired by her stance.
The protest that began 46 days ago for Zvërnec is no longer just an environmental protest. It has transformed into a movement demanding the unconditional resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. But as for the initial battle against Kushner's project in the protected area, Der Spiegel and The Guardian are contributing to the "Flamingo Revolution" taking on an internationally recognized face: Dua Lipa.
Its public support has given new resonance to the cause of Albanian citizens, turning the issue of Sazan and Zvërnec into a European debate about the environment, transparency and government accountability. ©Lapsi.al
