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Finance Minister Malaj says 2027 fiscal package redistributes taxes rather than raising them

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has defended Albania’s proposed 2027 fiscal package, saying its overall effect on state revenue will be neutral or slightly negative. He presented the changes to the Economy Committee. Malaj said the package aims to redistribute revenue, protect vulnerable groups and support the middle class. Higher dividend …

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President Begaj sets May 9, 2027, as date for Albania’s local elections

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the country’s next local elections. The Electoral Code requires voting to take place on one of four Sundays between April 15 and May 15. During consultations, the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the State Election …

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Albania’s 2027 Local Elections: Opposition Boycotts President Begaj’s Consultations on Election Date

President Bajram Begaj will hold consultations with representatives of political parties this Friday to determine the date of the 2027 local elections, in a process that begins with most opposition parties rejecting his invitation. The first meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM with representatives of the Socialist Party, while representatives …

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Albania Protests Enter Day 18 as Rama Calls for Dialogue

The protests by students and citizens against the government continue this Friday, marking their 18th consecutive day. Despite repeated calls for dialogue from Prime Minister Edi Rama, protesters remain firm in their position, demanding his resignation. Earlier today, Rama once again shared images on social media showing chairs placed outside …

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Student Protests: EU Ambassador Says Violence Cannot Be a Way to Express Discontent

The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, visited Elbasan this Friday, where she attended the fourth meeting of the CoR-Albania Joint Consultative Committee. Referring to recent developments in the country, the ambassador stressed that violence cannot be a means of expressing discontent, while emphasizing the responsibility of …

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Albanian Diplomat Bashkim Zeneli Dies at 78

Diplomat, former MP and publicist Bashkim Zeneli passed away this Friday at the age of 78. According to reports, Zeneli died in a hospital abroad. Zeneli served as a journalist, a member of the Albanian Parliament, and Albania’s ambassador to Germany and Greece. He was also one of the early …

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SPAK Hosts International Anti-Corruption Meeting in Tirana, Bringing Together Representatives from 28 Jurisdictions

Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) hosted the 16th meeting of the Law Enforcement Network (LEN), part of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN), in Tirana from October 27 to 29. In a statement published on social media on Friday, SPAK announced …

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EU Enlargement Draft: Kosovo Makes No Progress in Fundamental Areas

The European Commission is set to adopt and publish its annual EU progress reports on Wednesday, November 4, along with the enlargement package. According to draft versions of these documents, Kosovo is among the countries that have made no progress or have recorded only limited progress in most areas. The …

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President Begaj Sets May 9, 2027, as Date for Local Elections in Albania

President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the next local government elections in Albania. In an official statement, the Presidency announced that the decision was made following consultations with representatives of political parties represented in Parliament and the State Election Commissioner. The consultations were attended …

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Pope Leo XIV Welcomes Albanian Bishops and Diocesan Administrators in Rome

Pope Leo XIV welcomes the bishops and diocesan administrators of Albania in a private audience at the Vatican during their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, a periodic visit made by bishops from each country to the Vatican every five years. During the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, the bishops …