Opposition demands 100% open lists, unveils bill to separate state from political parties
TIRANA, Nov 9 /ATA/ Oerd Bylykbashi, the Democratic Party’s co-chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Electoral Reform, accused the Socialist Party of lacking the political will to address OSCE/ODIHR recommendations. Speaking at the committee’s meeting, Bylykbashi said the reform should prioritise separating the state from the ruling party and …
Begaj, Mattarella hail Arbëreshë community as cornerstone of Albanian-Italian ties
TIRANA, Nov 9 /ATA/ – Albanian President Bajram Begaj and his Italian counterpart, Sergio Mattarella, on Monday hosted the mayors of all Arbëreshë municipalities in Italy at the Quirinal Palace in Rome, highlighting the community’s role in preserving the historic bonds between the two countries. The Arbëreshë, descendants of Albanians …
Gjiknuri attributes electoral reform delays to lack of consensus
TIRANA, Nov 9 /ATA/ The co-chair of the parliamentary electoral reform committee Damian Gjiknuri said the electoral reform process had fallen behind schedule and risked missing its agreed deadlines due to lack of consensus with the opposition. Addressing the committee meeting, Gjiknuri said the work had fallen behind the planned …
Food and transport prices push Albania’s inflation to 3.4% in October
TIRANA, Nov 9 /ATA/ – Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 3.4% in October 2026, up from 2.3% a year earlier, driven mainly by higher food and transport prices, data from the National Institute of Statistics (INSTAT) showed on Monday. Consumer prices increased by 0.5% from September, according to INSTAT’s …
‘Talk to Prime Minister’ platform records more than 971 citizen interactions
TIRANA, Nov 9 /ATA/ – “Talk to the Prime Minister” platform has recorded more than 971 interactions with citizens to date, the Agency for Media and Information (MIA) said on Monday. The platform collects questions, concerns, criticism, suggestions and opinions from citizens both in Albania and abroad. Complaints account for …
EU ambassador delivers 2026 Report to Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs; Hoxha: Most comprehensive progress assessment
TIRANA, November 9 /ATA/ – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today with Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania, Ambassador Sofia Moreira de Sousa, who presented him with a copy of the 2026 Progress Report for Albania. Minister Hoxha described this report as the most …
New draft law on investments open for public consultation; Ibrahimaj invites business feedback
TIRANA, November 9 /ATA/ – Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj announced that the new draft law “On Investments” has been released for public consultation, inviting businesses, investors, business associations and experts to submit their suggestions and proposals. In a social media post, Ibrahimaj emphasized that the initiative aims …
Government plans April pension indexation, doubles monthly bonus with 20 billion leks fund
TIRANA, Nov 9 /ATA/ – The government has earmarked 4 billion leks for pension indexation in its 2027 draft budget, aiming to bring the annual adjustment forward to April, Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said on Monday. Presenting the draft budget to parliament’s Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance, …
Constitutional Court issues reasoned ruling on Virtual Minister Diella
TIRANA, November 9 /ATSH/ – The Constitutional Court today issued its final ruling on a petition filed by 39 MPs seeking to annul parts of two presidential decrees concerning the Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Diella. In a ruling reached on October 8, 2026, and announced on November 9, 2026, the …
New monthly baby bonus scheme for children under 5 launches July 1, 2027
TIRANA, November 9 /ATSH/ – Starting July 1, 2027, a new “baby bonus” scheme will be implemented, providing monthly financial support to Albanian families for every child up to the age of 5. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced today the financial amounts that families will receive, based on the number …
TIRANA, Nov 12 /ATA/ – Albania has not proposed postponing the next NATO summit or holding it virtually, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said on Wednesday, rejecting what he described as a misinterpretation of his recent remarks reported by POLITICO. Nufi said his comments had been taken out of context, giving …
TIRANA, Nov 12 /ATA/ – The facade of Tirana International Airport, transformed into what resembles a giant bird’s nest, has become a talking point among the thousands of passengers passing through the airport each day. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the facade on social media on Thursday, showing …
TIRANA, Nov 12 /ATA/ – President Bajram Begaj announced on Thursday he signed a decree appointing Esmeralda Hasani as director of Albania’s State Intelligence Service (SHISH). The appointment was made in accordance with the Constitution and Article 5 of the Law on the State Intelligence Service, as amended, following a …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha expressed Albania’s full solidarity with France following devastating cyberattacks on an unprecedented scale. He said an offensive cyber unit linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had carried out the attacks. Hoxha stressed that Albania understands the threat firsthand, as Iranian state …
State Police Director General Skënder Hita is leading a delegation on a working visit to Italy, where Italian Police Chief Prefect Vittorio Pisani welcomed him in Rome. During the meeting, both officials praised the excellent bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership and investigative and operational …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu met with his Italian counterpart, Carlo Nordio, in Rome on Tuesday to discuss strengthening cooperation between Albania and Italy in the field of justice. In a social media post, Gogu thanked Nordio for Italy’s continued support as Albania’s strategic partner on its path towards European integration. …
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja attended an expanded meeting of the National Youth Council on Tuesday, stressing the importance of dialogue, mutual respect and greater youth involvement in decision-making. Gonxhja said the meeting highlighted the education, communication skills, critical thinking and social awareness of a generation eager …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha is on an official visit to Budapest, where Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Orbán welcomed him. During their talks on Albania’s European integration, Hoxha praised Hungary’s strong support and its role as an influential voice for the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said it was too early to express optimism about recent political developments in Serbia and their potential impact on the region’s European integration process. Speaking at a discussion in Dublin, Ireland, with European and Balkan experts and diplomats, organised by the Institute of International and European …
Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania aims to complete its European Union accession negotiations by the end of 2027, describing the target as ambitious but achievable. Speaking in Dublin, Ireland, at an event hosted by the Institute of International and European Affairs (IIEA), Rama addressed an audience of European and …