Tirana Mayor Set to Run Albanian Capital from Prison Cell
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
Letter From Brussels: Judgment Day for the Balkan Hopefuls
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
Multigenderism’s Curious Impact
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 …
Balluku Charges Test PM Rama’s Power
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 …
Albanian Political Giants’ Electoral Reform Deal is a Sham, Rivals Suspect
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
Western Balkans Remains Key Smuggling Corridor in Europe: Report
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
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: November 10, 2025
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Ambassador Tsao: lets focus cooperation on technology and AI
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 …
Albania’s Gender Equality Law: Now Let’s See It Implemented
Online disinformation from opponents of the new gender equality law shouldn’t obscure the real issue: this vital legislation has been adopted by parliament, but now we need it to work in practice, not just on paper. Original post Here
Albania Gender-Equality Law Draws Praise and Condemnation
Women’s rights groups hailed adoption of the new equality law as a historic move – while the opposition Democratic Party and ‘pro-family’ groups called it an attack on traditional values. Original post Here
The Albanian opera “Fundi i Golemëve” by composer Nikolla Zoraqi will receive its world premiere at the National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble in Tirana. First, the opera was composed in 1963 and remained unperformed on stage for decades. Now, it returns as one of the most important …
Blendi Gonxhja shared images of the restored Shën Prodhomi Monastery in Voskopojë. Authorities restored the monastery through a project designed by the National Institute of Cultural Heritage and the Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage in Korçë, with financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Experts built the monastery …
TIRANA, May 26 – Rehearsals and preparations continue ahead of the Spring Festival at Albanian Radio and Television. Twenty participating artists are rehearsing with the Albanian Radio and Television orchestra and the festival band. Stage work advances. Meanwhile, preparation work continues as artists move closer to their performances. They share …
TIRANA, May 26 – Prime Minister Edi Rama published an artificial intelligence-generated analysis of media coverage in Albania on social media platform X. He said the report examines patterns in public communication and media visibility. The publication follows a recent assessment by Reporters Without Borders. In addition, Rama is in …
This week features a wide range of cultural and artistic events across Albania. The “TK Rin Art 2026” theater festival continues in Tirana and runs until June 5. It brings together school theater performances from across the capital. In Elbasan, the Skampa Theatre hosts the 30th edition of the Youth …
TIRANA, May 26 – The EU Chargé d’Affaires in Albania, Andre Rizzo, underlined the importance of cadastral reform and digital transformation at a regional conference on Western Balkan digitalisation and EU integration. He described the EU accession process as one of the most significant challenges for the region. In addition, …
TIRANA, May 26 – Albania hosted a regional conference in Tirana, bringing together Western Balkan countries around a shared vision for digital transformation, legal certainty on property, and European integration. At the conference, Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania has opened all negotiation chapters with the European Union. In addition, …
TIRANA, May 26 – An international scientific conference titled “From the gigaworld to elementary particles, everything moves and self-organises: this is physics” was held at the Academy of Sciences. The event marked the promotion of a series of scientific works by academic Rexhep Meidani. The publications focus on space, time, …
TIRANA, May 26 – Prosecutor Vladimir Mara on Tuesday praised cooperation with the Bari Anti-Mafia Directorate and law enforcement agencies across Europe in operations targeting criminal groups. Speaking during a joint press conference with the Bari Anti-Mafia Directorate, Mara focused on a joint investigation that targeted a criminal group involved …
TIRANA, May 26 – Albania has officially joined the International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation, Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj announced on Tuesday. He said Albania joined countries that promote biodiversity protection through responsible and sustainable wildlife management. In addition, he confirmed the country’s commitment to a modern and science-based …