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Albanian PM shares AI video of himself in bikini and skirt amid protests
๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ธ Serbia /Culture & Society

Albanian PM shares AI video of himself in bikini and skirt amid protests

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama shared an AI-generated video of himself singing and dancing in a bikini and bra.
  • The video serves as a response to growing public and environmentalist opposition against a multi-billion dollar tourism project linked to Jared Kushner.
  • The "flamingo revolution" protests aim to halt the resort's construction on Sazan Island, a protected natural area.

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to mounting criticism over a controversial multi-billion dollar tourism project with an unconventional tactic: an AI-generated video of himself in a bikini and bra, singing and dancing. The video, shared on social media, appears to be a defiant jab at environmentalists and the public protesting the development.

Sorry for the delay, I was counting how many of us were yesterday. It's strange that I didn't count 2,000. As a friend of mine said: 'Dance now, fckng btch'.

โ€” Edi RamaCaption accompanying the AI-generated video.

The project, linked to Jared Kushner's investment fund Affinity Partners, plans a luxury resort with approximately 10,000 hotel rooms on the island of Sazan. This initiative faces significant opposition, with protesters dubbing their movement the "flamingo revolution." Flamingos are a protected species in the Vjosa-Narta wetlands, a crucial natural sanctuary in Albania, and have become a symbol of resistance against the development.

bloggers should challenge each other, one dressed as a flamingo, the other as me, and see who wins.

โ€” Edi RamaJokingly responding to critics and influencers supporting the protests.

Rama's video was released following his public dismissal of bloggers and influencers supporting the protests. He characterized many of them as self-promoters who don't understand the project's circumstances. He even jokingly suggested influencers should challenge each other, one dressed as a flamingo, the other as himself, to a dance-off.

We must not allow Albania to become the new Dubai.

โ€” ProtesterExpressing concern about the scale and impact of the tourism development.

The protests have intensified, particularly after bulldozers appeared on beaches designated for the resort and access to a popular beach was restricted by barbed wire. Demonstrators have marched in Tirana, carrying banners reading "The nation is not for sale" and "I don't want Albania as Dubai." They demand the project's suspension and the return of land to former owners. The Sazan Island site, a former military base, is noted for its rich biodiversity, including over 200 species of migratory birds and rare seals and sea turtles.

The nation is not for sale.

โ€” ProtesterA slogan seen on banners during demonstrations against the tourism project.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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