Opposition warns blocking of parliament work on approving 2024 budget
Opposition has once again warned of chaos and blocking the work of the Assembly, while this Thursday it is expected that the 2024 budget will be approved, article by article and in its entirety. Six opposition MPs will not be present at the session, as they were expelled for 10 …
Suspended vice mayor of Kukes appears at SPAK
After the suspension from the office, deputy mayor of Kukes Municipality, Granit Gjana appeared on Thursday morning at the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK). SPAK accuses Ghana of violating equality in tenders, while today Ghana will be notified of the measure of suspension from office. According to SPAK, Ghana, in violation …
SPAK finished probe on former Mayor of Durres
Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) closed this Thursday the investigations for the former mayor of Durrës, Vangjush Dako, and for the other defendants, who are accused of abuse of office in two cases. Eleven people have been charged, while only one has been requested by the prosecution to dismiss the case, …
2024 budget approved despite chaos in parliament
2024 budget has been approved this Thursday morning with 74 votes in favor, while the session closes after 8 minutes due to the tensions. At the launch of today’s plenary session, the opposition MPs clashed with the Guard of the Republic, which has been put on standby to ensure the …
40 arrested, 50 prosecuted in operation against illegal gambling
Cybercrime in Tirana’s Police Department has arrested at least 40 people and has proceeded with 50 others at large. These measures have been taken as part of the operation launched on Wednesday evening against gambling. ABC News journalist Ervin Leka reports that the police action has been extended to all …
Former PM Berisha’s son summoned by court for Gerdec file
Court summoned this Thursday Shkëlzen Berisha, the son of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha, to testify in the process for the Gerdeci file. In today’s session, together with Shkëlzen Berisha, the court decided to call former minister Aldo Bumci as a witness. Today’s session was postponed due to the absence …
Man accused of involvement in former cop’s assassination denies knowing him
Blendi Teta, a person who is accused of having knowledge about the murder of ex-policeman Santiago Malko on August 27, 2019, testified this Wednesday in the court process in charge of Leonard and Elis Duka, Fatmir Hysen, Oltion Logut, Aleksandër Manxhak and Dritan Agaj. Teta answered the questions of the …
Rama: Albania needs luxury tourism
Prime Minister Edi Rama declared this Wednesday that Albania needs luxury tourism, so that the income of ordinary people in the country can have a greater income. In his speech during the presentation of the three finalist ideas of the International Competition of the Multifunctional Center and Information Stations for …
Man that provided ammo, bulletproof vests to criminals busted in Shkodra
A base with illegal materials, which would be used for criminal events, was found in Shkodër, the Police announced this Wednesday. Among the items seized were 7 bulletproof vests, 2 pairs of gloves, 3 masks, 2 wigs, combat ammunition, 1 metal shell, 1 shotgun and other illegal items, as well …
Rama-Meloni deal, opposition MPs hampered blocked commission
Opposition MPs have blocked the work in the Security Committee this Wednesday, where the discussion on the agreement with Italy for immigrants was expected to start. Members of Parliament did not allow the start of the meeting, while the democrat Flamur Noka sat in the chair of the commission. After …
Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here
Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here
Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here
In the first of her monthly dispatches from the heartland of the European Union, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at which Balkan states have been getting gold stars – or black marks – from the enlargement commissioners. Original post Here
1. The Last Cycle of Extremist Ideologies in the Old Continent – Council of Europe In 2011, the Council of Europe adopted the final version of the Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which contained many useful provisions. However, Article 3(c), which …
TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) November 11, 2025. The criminal charges filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku over the Llogara Tunnel project have pushed Albania’s flagship justice reform into uncharted territory, bringing prosecutors closer than ever to the core of Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government. The Special …
Albania’s smaller parties believe the country’s two main political forces unexpectedly agreed to work together on electoral reform in order to fix the system to maintain their dominance. Original post Here
The Western Balkan countries remain important corridors in Europe for drug and human trafficking and migrant smuggling, says the 2025 Organised Crime Index, produced by an anti-graft NGO. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Tirana Times sat with the Head of the Taipei Representative office in Italy, Ambassador Vincent Tsao on his recent visit to Albania to talk about cooperation and exchange in technology, development, education and more… Your Excellency, Taiwan is known globally for its advanced technology and innovation sectors. What specific areas …