Powerful Interests are Driving Digital Repression in Southeast Europe
Digital spaces are the new frontlines for challenging entrenched political and economic interests, but the backlash against civic groups trying to expose corruption and environmental destruction or demand official accountability can be fierce. Original post Here
Government Moves to Shield Cabinet from Prosecution as Judiciary–Executive Clash Deepens
Proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code following the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku trigger opposition backlash, institutional tension, and renewed concerns over judicial independence and EU accession. Tirana Times, February 16 2026 – The Albanian government has launched an urgent legislative initiative to amend the Criminal Procedure …
Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption?
This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here
Albanian Ruling Party Proposes Law Granting Senior Officials Immunity
Proposed legal changes, which would protect ministers and other top officials from suspension by the courts, draw condemnation as a move to block anti-corruption investigations. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 16, 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
Albania’s AI Minister Diella Sued by Actor Over Image Use
Tirana Times, February 15, 2026 – Albania’s much publicized artificial intelligence “minister” Diella is now at the center of a legal and political controversy after actor Anila Bisha filed a lawsuit against the Albanian government, accusing state institutions of unlawfully using her image and voice. The case, filed at the Administrative …
Shielding Power from Justice
How legislative moves to protect senior officials are putting Albania’s rule of law and EU path at risk By Zef Preçi When governments begin rewriting the rules to protect themselves from the courts, the problem is no longer legal. It is political. Albania’s latest debate over judicial measures against senior …
Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect
An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here
Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci
MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here
Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’
Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here
Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari met today with the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Lamallari briefed the delegation on Albania’s progress in implementing recommendations and strengthening democratic standards. “Albania has also made steady progress toward the EU. We have concrete reforms and results recognized by international …
President Vjosa Osmani hosted a farewell reception as she left office. Among the guests was Eva Palatova, acting head of the EU office in Kosovo. The EU office in Kosovo said Palatova attended the reception and thanked Osmani for her years of cooperation. “As Kosovo’s most trusted partner, the EU …
On World Autism Day, celebrated every year on April 2, the Parliament building lit up blue. Blue is the international color for autism awareness. Each year, state institutions join this global initiative. It shows their commitment to raising awareness for this social cause. World Autism Day aims to increase public …
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani said institutions and society must stand with children with autism and their families. She stressed the need for understanding, support, and love for this group. “Every child deserves to be heard and supported,” she said. Osmani called for greater inclusion and ongoing care for children with …
The Center for Openness and Dialogue (COD) held an awareness event today for World Autism Day. The event was organized with the National Club of Parents of Children with ASD & P.A.K. and the “Asim Vokshi” Linguistic High School. The goal was to raise public awareness and promote inclusion of …
Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha joined a virtual meeting called by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper. Over 40 countries attended. They discussed the urgent need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iran closed it amid ongoing conflict. Hoxha said countries coordinate through diplomacy and politics to …
EU Ambassador to Albania Silvio Gonzato said fighting disinformation requires promoting independent and professional media. It also requires strengthening freedom of expression. Gonzato said independent media forms a key pillar of EU rule-of-law principles. It also shows a country’s readiness to join the European Union. He said, “Disinformation affects public …
Prime Minister and Socialist Party leader Edi Rama said Albania faces a historic opportunity to join the European family. He told the Socialist Assembly in Unit 14 that major powers now support Albanians concretely. He said Albania has never had such a clear chance to become a full EU member. …
Albania remembers actress Margarita Xhepa on her birthday. She remains an undisputed icon of the stage and screen. Her legacy continues to inspire generations. She was born on April 2, 1932. She became one of the brightest figures in Albanian theater and cinema. She performed dozens of roles that shaped …
The leader of the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), Ali Ahmeti, reacted through an open letter on social media regarding recent developments in North Macedonia, emphasizing that the issue of the Albanian language cannot be put into question. In his message, Ahmeti underlined that a stable state is built on …