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Territorial reform: 15 municipalities to merge, six areas to gain city status – what changes under the new map

If the new administrative-territorial reform secures the 84 votes required in Thursday’s plenary session, Albania will go from 61 to 46 municipalities. The draft approved by the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs provides for the merger of 15 existing municipalities into larger ones, while the country’s counties will remain unchanged. …

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Energy poverty: 38% of households in Albania unable to keep their homes warm

Nearly four in ten households in Albania are unable to keep their homes adequately warm. These figures place Albania, alongside Kosovo, at the top of the region for “energy poverty.” Albania and Kosovo have the highest shares of households relative to their populations that cannot afford to keep their homes …

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Albania police chief Hita assures students of safety at universities

Albania State Police Director General Skënder Hita congratulated students on the start of the new academic year. He said the police will step up its efforts to ensure their safety and provide a calm environment for study. Hita said the State Police will work with students to prevent any activity …

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Albania parliamentary affairs minister meets United States House of Representatives delegation

State Minister for Parliamentary Relations Erjona Ismaili met a delegation from the United States House of Representatives on Monday. They discussed ways to modernise Albania’s legislative process and strengthen parliamentary institutions. The talks also covered technology and artificial intelligence. The participants discussed their use to improve transparency and efficiency. They …

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Speaker Peleshi meets United States House delegation to strengthen strategic partnership

Assembly of Albania Speaker Niko Peleshi met a delegation from the United States House of Representatives on Monday. Republican Representative Vern Buchanan of Florida led the delegation. United States Ambassador to Albania Eric Wendt also attended the meeting. The talks focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between Albania and the …

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Viktor Stratobërdha: Filmmaker’s career remembered in Tirana

The life and work of Albanian filmmaker Viktor Stratobërdha (1925–2000) took centre stage at a film event in Tirana. The event examined the career of an artist whose creative work lasted only 13 months before the communist regime cut it short. The Authority for Information on Former State Security Documents …

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Sulejman Delvina: Prime Minister elected by Congress of Lushnja 1920

Sulejman Delvina was born in Delvina on October 5, 1871. He was a political activist and patriot. He later became prime minister of the government formed by the Congress of Lushnja in 1920. Delvina began his studies at the Zosimea Gymnasium in Ioannina. He later continued his education in Istanbul. …

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Kosovo Assembly approves draft law on Specialist Chambers with 91 votes in favour

The Kosovo Assembly has approved, in its first reading, a draft law proposed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) to amend and supplement the Law on the Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office. The draft law was approved with 91 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions. …

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Taulant Balla: Territorial reform to be voted on Thursday, all Socialist MPs must vote in favour

The head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, said that the parliamentary majority will vote on Thursday to approve the territorial reform. Speaking to reporters, Balla said the country needs stronger municipalities with higher revenues, while calling on the Democratic Party to take part in discussions on the …

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Peleshi welcomes US delegation to Parliament, strategic partnership and EU integration in focus

Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi welcomed a delegation from the United States House of Representatives to the Albanian Parliament, led by Congressman Vern Buchanan, Chairman of the House Democracy Partnership. US Ambassador to Albania Eric Wendt also attended the meeting. Discussions focused on further strengthening the strategic relationship between Albania …

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Week in Review: Realities Old and New

A string of long-awaited elections, as well as changing international dynamics, are reshaping the region, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. Original post Here

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Albania sets new maximum fuel prices from 13:00

Albania’s Transparency Board has set new maximum wholesale and retail prices for diesel and petrol. The new prices will take effect on October 9 at 13:00 and will remain in force until the board’s next meeting. The maximum retail price for diesel will be ALL 213 per litre, while the …

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Anti-corruption chief Braho meets European Commissioner McGrath

Klodjan Braho, head of Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK), met European Commissioner Michael McGrath on Thursday. McGrath is responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection. The talks covered the Code of Criminal Procedure, political rhetoric towards the anti-corruption structure and continued cooperation …

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Kosovo to Compete at European Individual Table Tennis Championships

Kosovo will compete at the 2026 European Individual Table Tennis Championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) will host the tournament at Arena Stozice, bringing together the continent’s top players. Kreshnik Mahmuti and Shega Hashani will represent Kosovo, with Ridvan Hashani as their coach. FPPK President Nehat …

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Restoration Work Begins at Selca Monumental Tombs

Specialists from the Korçë Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage have started maintenance work at the Monumental Tombs of Lower Selca. They are replacing and restoring the protective shelters over the ancient tombs to shield the structures from weather damage and preserve the site. The tombs stand in the Mokër area, …

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Tickets on sale for Albania-Finland Nations League match

Tickets are now on sale for Albania’s UEFA Nations League match against Finland at Air Albania Stadium on November 12. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45. The match will be the penultimate fixture in Group C1. The Albanian Football Association has announced that fans can buy tickets in the stadium’s designated …

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Kosova Security Force wins gold at Cambrian Patrol 2026

The Kosova Security Force won a gold medal at the Cambrian Patrol 2026 competition in the United Kingdom. Kosova’s Defence Minister Ejup Maqedonci announced the result, achieved among 120 participating teams. Maqedonci said the award reflects the force’s professionalism, discipline and high level of training. Meanwhile, members of the team …

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Albania’s foreign currency reserves exceed 8.4 billion euros

Albania’s foreign currency reserves exceeded 8.4 billion euros at the end of August 2026. This marked their highest recorded level. According to the Bank of Albania, reserves increased by 15.1% from the end of 2025. They also rose by 18.7% year on year. Foreign currency purchases by the central bank …

News
Prosecutor General highlights legal reforms and infrastructure problems

Albania’s Prosecutor General, Olsjan Çela, welcomed efforts to improve criminal procedure law. However, he called for urgent solutions to infrastructure problems, security concerns and magistrates’ pay. He spoke at the general meeting of prosecutors, which is electing new members of the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP). Çela said staff shortages and …

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Public Administration Minister Pirdeni: Performance will determine career advancement

Minister of Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a reform of the public administration’s performance appraisal and career development system. She said the initiative aims to identify individual contributions, assess performance and link career advancement to merit. Pirdeni referred to findings from the National Public Service Survey. She said …

News

Week in Review: Realities Old and New

A string of long-awaited elections, as well as changing international dynamics, are reshaping the region, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. Original post Here

News

Albania sets new maximum fuel prices from 13:00

Albania’s Transparency Board has set new maximum wholesale and retail prices for diesel and petrol. The new prices will take effect on October 9 at 13:00 and will remain in force until the board’s next meeting. The maximum retail price for diesel will be ALL 213 per litre, while the …

News

Anti-corruption chief Braho meets European Commissioner McGrath

Klodjan Braho, head of Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK), met European Commissioner Michael McGrath on Thursday. McGrath is responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection. The talks covered the Code of Criminal Procedure, political rhetoric towards the anti-corruption structure and continued cooperation …

News

Kosovo to Compete at European Individual Table Tennis Championships

Kosovo will compete at the 2026 European Individual Table Tennis Championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) will host the tournament at Arena Stozice, bringing together the continent’s top players. Kreshnik Mahmuti and Shega Hashani will represent Kosovo, with Ridvan Hashani as their coach. FPPK President Nehat …

News

Restoration Work Begins at Selca Monumental Tombs

Specialists from the Korçë Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage have started maintenance work at the Monumental Tombs of Lower Selca. They are replacing and restoring the protective shelters over the ancient tombs to shield the structures from weather damage and preserve the site. The tombs stand in the Mokër area, …

News

Tickets on sale for Albania-Finland Nations League match

Tickets are now on sale for Albania’s UEFA Nations League match against Finland at Air Albania Stadium on November 12. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45. The match will be the penultimate fixture in Group C1. The Albanian Football Association has announced that fans can buy tickets in the stadium’s designated …

News

Kosova Security Force wins gold at Cambrian Patrol 2026

The Kosova Security Force won a gold medal at the Cambrian Patrol 2026 competition in the United Kingdom. Kosova’s Defence Minister Ejup Maqedonci announced the result, achieved among 120 participating teams. Maqedonci said the award reflects the force’s professionalism, discipline and high level of training. Meanwhile, members of the team …

News

Albania’s foreign currency reserves exceed 8.4 billion euros

Albania’s foreign currency reserves exceeded 8.4 billion euros at the end of August 2026. This marked their highest recorded level. According to the Bank of Albania, reserves increased by 15.1% from the end of 2025. They also rose by 18.7% year on year. Foreign currency purchases by the central bank …

News

Prosecutor General highlights legal reforms and infrastructure problems

Albania’s Prosecutor General, Olsjan Çela, welcomed efforts to improve criminal procedure law. However, he called for urgent solutions to infrastructure problems, security concerns and magistrates’ pay. He spoke at the general meeting of prosecutors, which is electing new members of the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP). Çela said staff shortages and …

News

Public Administration Minister Pirdeni: Performance will determine career advancement

Minister of Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a reform of the public administration’s performance appraisal and career development system. She said the initiative aims to identify individual contributions, assess performance and link career advancement to merit. Pirdeni referred to findings from the National Public Service Survey. She said …