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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Student-led demonstrations turn into violent confrontations, with attacks on state institutions and luxury buildings amid allegations of systemic corruption, police brutality and a deepening political crisis. Tirana Times, October 14, 2026 – Albania’s capital descended into scenes resembling a war zone Wednesday as anti-government protesters attacked state institutions, set fires …
Student-led protests in Albania have escalated into violent clashes with police, drawing international attention and raising fresh questions about government accountability, corruption and the future of young people. The demonstrations began with demands for better university conditions, lower education costs and greater financial support for students. However, they soon expanded …
Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi condemned attacks on Parliament and public institutions during a violent protest in Tirana. He described the acts of vandalism and destruction as unacceptable. In a social media statement, Peleshi stressed that violence serves no cause and harms the public interest and society. He also rejected attempts …
Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro urged students to reject violence as protests entered their second day. She expressed deep concern over attacks on the Education Ministry and other public institutions. “Physical clashes and property destruction must never replace words, arguments and dialogue,” Kumbaro said. The minister defended students’ right to protest …
The US Embassy in Tirana issued a security alert on Tuesday, warning American citizens that violent protests could spread near government buildings. The embassy said a demonstration on Durrës Street, near Skanderbeg Square, turned violent after protesters threw stones. It warned that unrest could spread to nearby areas and government …
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Albania (KISH) condemned the removal of the Vatican flag during a protest in Tirana on Tuesday, calling the act unacceptable. In a public statement, the conference said protesters had targeted the Apostolic Nunciature, the Vatican’s diplomatic mission in Tirana. Several demonstrators removed the Vatican flag …
The German Embassy has shared the position of the European Union Delegation to Albania regarding the ongoing student protests in Tirana. The German Embassy has expressed the same position as the EU Delegation, which voiced concern over escalating tensions between law enforcement officers and young protesters and called on all …
Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced during a government meeting that a proposal to establish a working group tasked with drafting, coordinating and harmonising a state strategy regarding appeal proceedings at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague had been approved. Kurti stated that the first-instance verdict against the four …
The British Embassy in Tirana has reacted following clashes on the second day of protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a statement published on the Ministry’s official Facebook page, the embassy stressed that the right to protest does not justify the use of violence or damage to public and …
Former Defence Minister Piro Vengu has reacted following acts of violence reported for the second consecutive day during protests outside the Ministry of Education. In a social media post, Vengu stated that students have the right to protest and express their concerns, but stressed that violence and vandalism serve no …