Dua Lipa, the British singer of Kosovar Albanian descent, has publicly endorsed the wave of protests in Albania opposing a luxury tourism complex associated with the family of former U.S. President Donald Trump. In an episode of her podcast “Service95 Book Club” released on Tuesday, Lipa described the demonstrations as “inspiring” and voiced her support for Albanians demanding greater government accountability and environmental protection.
The protests, which have been held daily in Tirana since late May, center on a controversial resort project led by Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, both former senior White House advisors. The development, valued at $4.6 billion (€4 billion), is planned for the protected Vjosa-Narta lagoon area along Albania’s southern coast. Environmentalists and local activists argue that the project will irreparably damage one of Europe’s last intact river deltas and set a dangerous precedent for corruption and opaque decision-making.
“What really concerns me is that the government might have simply changed the law to bypass environmental protections without any public consultation,” Lipa said during the podcast, which featured Albanian writer Lea Ypi. “I find it very inspiring to see how much people care.” The singer, whose parents are from Kosovo and who holds deep ties to the Balkan region, added that the issue reflects a broader structural problem requiring a “population-led” solution.
The resort plan was first announced in 2024, but the public outcry intensified in May 2026 when barbed-wire fences and bulldozers appeared on the beach intended for the project. Since then, the protests have evolved into a larger movement against perceived corruption and cronyism in Albanian politics, with many demonstrators also calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Besjana Guri, an Albanian environmental activist, welcomed Lipa’s remarks, calling them “a strong message” to the Albanian government. “I am convinced that her voice will help attract more international attention to this struggle and amplify the concerns of those protesting in Tirana,” Guri told AFP.
Dua Lipa’s involvement is not her first foray into Balkan activism. Born in London to Albanian parents, she has frequently used her platform to highlight issues in the region, including Kosovo’s independence and cultural heritage. In 2023, she sparked a diplomatic row with Serbia after criticizing its stance on Kosovo, and she has often spoken about the importance of preserving Albanian identity.
The Trump family’s Albanian venture has also drawn scrutiny for its lack of transparency. Critics point out that the government fast-tracked the project through a special decree, bypassing standard environmental impact assessments and public hearings. The Vjosa-Narta area is home to rare bird species, including the Dalmatian pelican, and serves as a vital stopover for migratory birds along the Adriatic Flyway.
Legal challenges have been filed by several NGOs, but so far the courts have not halted construction. The protests, which have seen tens of thousands of people gather in Skanderbeg Square, represent the largest sustained civil disobedience in Albania since the 1997 unrest. Similar demonstrations have broken out in other cities, including Vlora, where the resort is located.
Dua Lipa’s endorsement adds a high-profile voice to the movement, which has also drawn support from other artists and intellectuals in the Albanian diaspora. Lea Ypi, the author and academic who co-hosted the podcast, has written extensively about Albania’s transition from communism and the persistence of elite capture in the post-communist era. Her book “Free: Coming of Age at the End of History” explores themes of political disillusionment that resonate with the current protest.
The global attention could pressure both the Albanian government and the Trump family. Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump have largely remained silent on the controversy, but the project is part of a series of international business ventures they pursued after leaving the White House. Critics have questioned the ethics of a former president’s family benefiting from government deals abroad while Trump himself remains a polarizing figure in U.S. politics.
In the absence of transparency, the protesters have called for an independent inquiry into the approval process and a moratorium on all new developments in protected areas. The government, led by Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has defended the project as a boon to tourism and job creation. Rama has dismissed the protests as politically motivated, but the daily turnout suggests widespread public discontent.
Dua Lipa’s statement may also have legal ramifications. Under Albanian law, public figures can be sued for defamation if they make unsubstantiated claims against the government or corporations. However, Lipa’s comments were general and did not directly accuse any officials of wrongdoing, leaving her legal exposure limited.
The singer’s advocacy fits a broader pattern of celebrity activism in the Balkans. In recent years, figures such as Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Madonna have drawn attention to various causes in the region. However, Dua Lipa’s personal connection gives her words particular weight among Albanians. Her recent marriage to actor Callum Turner in Palermo, which generated its own controversy over use of public space, has not diminished her credibility on this issue.
As the protests enter their third month, the involvement of a global pop star may mark a turning point. International media coverage has intensified, and human rights organizations have begun to monitor the situation. The Albanian government faces a dilemma: either maintain its support for a contentious project and risk further isolation, or bow to public pressure and lose a major investment.
Meanwhile, the protesters remain resolute. In daily gatherings, they chant anti-corruption slogans and wave Albanian flags alongside banners reading “Save Vjosa-Narta” and “No to Trump’s Beach.” Many express hope that the movement will lead to systemic change. “We are not just fighting a hotel complex,” said one protester, a university student from Tirana. “We are fighting for the right to decide our own future.”
Dua Lipa’s voice has now joined that chorus. Whether it will sway the government or the Trump family remains uncertain, but it has already amplified a struggle that was previously confined to local headlines. For the people on the streets of Tirana, that alone is a victory.
Source:7sur7.be News