Letter from Brussels: Is a Hopeful Breeze Blowing Through the EU’s ‘Waiting Room’?
Brussels has already gone cold on a scheme to allow some aspirant countries like Albania and Serbia second-tier membership – but that doesn’t mean that other creative approaches to European enlargement are off the table. Original post Here
Albania’s TikTok Ban Violated Free Expression, Court Rules
Journalists’ union welcomes ruling that says government-imposed one-year ban on social media platform was a ‘violation of freedom of expression and freedom of the press’. Original post Here
Albanian Parliament Under Cyberattack Linked to Iran
Tirana Times, March 10, 2026 – A cyberattack targeting Albania’s Parliament has revived one of the country’s most serious national security concerns, underscoring the return of a threat that Albanian institutions have come to associate with Iran linked retaliation. The breach, confirmed by Parliament on Tuesday, involved unauthorized access to …
Belinda Balluku: Albanian PM’s Loyal Ally at Centre of Political Firestorm
The criminal charges facing former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku have dominated headlines in Albania for months – prompting her boss, Edi Rama, to pick a fight with the judiciary. Original post Here
Parliament Blocks Arrest Bid for Former Deputy Prime Minister Balluku
Shielding Balluku Could Cost Albania More Than a Court Case. Tirana Times, March 09, 2026 – Albania’s ruling Socialist majority moved Monday to block the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, in a decision expected to be ratified by parliament this week and one that is rapidly becoming …
Albanian Ruling Party Refuses to Support Lifting of Former Deputy PM’s Immunity
Ahead of a vote in parliament on Thursday, the ruling Socialists reject a prosecution request to support lifting the immunity of dismissed former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 9, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Do the Balkans really want EU membership?
By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – While all eyes are on the Iran war, subtle but important changes are taking place with respect to the Balkans. I think the two most important are these: The Trump Administration is abandoning state-building and instead wants local people to make the basic …
Marx on the Beach
By Zef Preci Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – Two centuries ago, Karl Marx offered a blunt description of how capitalism is sometimes born and consolidated: through what he called “primitive accumulation,” a historical process—often violent—by which people are separated from their land and productive assets, while wealth is concentrated …
Week in Review: Friends, Foes and Chocolate Thieves
From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here
The Council of Ministers approved expropriations for public interest linked to key infrastructure projects. Elbasan-Lekaj Road, Corridor 8, Lot I (Phases I-III): Owners will receive full compensation of 46,241,507.4 lekë. The expropriation goes to the Albanian Road Authority. “Marin Beçikemi” Road Reconstruction, Shkodër: The property owner receives 859,611 lekë. The …
TIRANA, April 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama held a discussion with young students on Albania’s EU accession process, highlighting its importance for youth. Rama said EU membership is not a mere political formality. It represents a deep transformation of the country’s status and opportunities for citizens. “With EU membership, …
TIRANA, April 2 – State Minister for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni spoke with young students about Albania’s EU accession negotiations, emphasizing their role in the process. Pirdeni described European integration as a difficult but highly rewarding journey, with vital impact on the country’s future. “Integration is not easy, …
TIRANA, April 2 – The Military Weather Service reported that Albania will experience unstable atmospheric conditions on Thursday. Clouds will range from moderate to dense, with short sunny intervals in the Western Lowlands after midday. Light rain will appear across much of the country from the early hours. Isolated short …
TIRANA, April 2 – Kosova’s main political parties have not taken steps toward a possible agreement to elect a new president, despite a one-month deadline set by the Constitutional Court. The court gave lawmakers 34 days to choose the country’s next president, warning that failure would trigger early elections within …
TIRANA, April 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania does not face conditions of a slowing integration process. During a discussion with young students on the country’s European Union accession negotiations, he stressed that much of the information circulating in media reports is often inaccurate and misleads the public. …
The Council of Ministers approved changes to the National Hospital Planning Committee. The committee advises the Health Minister on hospital services across Albania. It now has 9 members: cardiologists, surgeons, neonatologists, radiologists, gynecologists, emergency doctors, and an economist. The committee analyzes hospital coverage, assesses capacity and needs, proposes the National …
TIRANA, April 2 – At the discussion held today at the “Liria” [Freedom] hall on the Tirana State University campus, Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke with students about Albania’s EU accession progress. A student asked him about the fight against corruption. Rama said corruption today exists more in perception than …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu presented a new approach to handling minors in conflict with the law, focusing on restorative justice as an alternative to traditional punishment. Speaking to social science students, Gogu emphasized that a criminal act is not just a law violation—it causes real harm to people and the …
The Council of Ministers approved 203 million lek to support religious communities this year. Muslim Community of Albania: 57.3 million lek Autocephalous Orthodox Church: 48.6 million lek Catholic Church: 48.6 million lek Bektashi World Headquarters: 48.5 million lek Funds will be distributed in April 2026. The Ministry of Finance and …