Albania’s parliament in deadlock as opposition disrupts proceedings over investigative commissions, electoral reform
TIRANA, Jan. 19, 2024 – Albania’s parliament has started the new year in deadlock with now familiar scenes of opposition MPs disrupting proceedings in protest of what they say are “anti-democratic maneuvers” by Prime Minister Edi Rama to exclude the largest opposition group from investigative committees and a key electoral …
Leskovik, man burned alive in cabin fire
A serious event was recorded late on Wednesday evening in the village of Oseckë in Leskovik, where a person was burned inside a cabin. It was the victim’s brother who notified the police. He told the police that he and his brother had consumed alcohol and then he left to …
Valter Bami suspect of assassination released from prison
Valter Bami was released Thursday from the cell, after he was arrested in July of last year as being involved in the assassination attempt in Larushk of Kruja where 29-year-old Ramazan Sino, the brother-in-law of Gentian Bejtja, who was allegedly the target, was killed. On July 3, Ramazan Sino (the …
Rama-Meloni deal on migrants to be reviewed by C.Court
Constitutional Court will review this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. the lawsuit of MPs of the group of Gazment Bardhi and Sali Berisha regarding the agreement for immigrants with Italy. 30 MPs consider the agreement between the two countries in violation the Constitution and international law. On December 13, the Constitutional …
Three romanians wanted for robbing ATMs in Tirana
Three Romanian citizens have been declared wanted by the Tirana Police, after they robbed several ATMs in the capital. ABC News reporter Ervin Leka reports that the Romanians allegedly entered the territory of Albania in December 2023 and committed the first robbery on December 9. Also, it is suspected that …
As Ecuador violence makes global headlines, experts point to Albanian connection
TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2024 – Ecuador’s war on organized crime has made headlines across the world recently as the country’s president declared an internal state of war following armed clashes, unleashing the army to take on powerful gangs. The violence has been building for a long time as the Latin …
Heir to Albanian throne, wife announce they are divorcing
TIRANA, Jan. 16, 2024 – Crown Prince Leka, grandson of the late King Zog of Albania, and his wife, actress Elia Zaharia, have announced in separate statements that they have started divorce proceedings. The announcements come after weeks of speculation in the Albanian press after the couple did not appear …
Foreign minister visits North Macedonia, agenda revealed
Foreign Minister Igli Hasani will visit this Wednesday North Macedonia on Wednesday as part of a three-day regional tour, after being to Kosovo on Tuesday. During the visit, Minister Hasani will be met by his counterpart Bujar Osmani, with whom he will hold a meeting at 08:50, while they are …
Ambassador Hoxha moved to EU after finishing term in UNSC
Government has decided that after the end of Albania’s mandate in the UN Security Council, it will move Ambassador Ferit Hoxha to the EU. Graduated in 1988 at the Faculty of Foreign Languages; French Language and Culture, University of Tirana, Albania. He also graduated from the Dutch Institute of International …
Sessions on former PM Berisha’s questioning postponed by SPAK
Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK) has accepted this Wednesday the requests of the lawyers of former Prime Minister Sali Berisha and Jamarbër Malltez, postponing the interrogation sessions for next week. Former Prime Minister Sali Berisha was summoned on Thursday at 10:00 a.m. to the Special Prosecutor’s Office to be questioned as …
Tirana Times, March 26 , 2026 – The Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) has awarded its prestigious annual “Jorgji Qirjako” Translation Prize for 2025 to historian and translator Ilir Ikonomi, recognizing his outstanding contribution to bringing major works of international scholarship to the Albanian audience. Ilir Ikonomi received the award …
From a political spying scandal to MAGA alignment and a brewing collision with the law, selection of BIRN Premium stories this week makes for an exciting read. Original post Here
The now-notorious hacker group Homeland Justice claimed that it had breached the computer defences of Albania’s postal service following its attack on parliament’s systems earlier this month. Original post Here
Charged with corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth, ex-politician Monika Kryemadhi is rebranding herself as a showbiz celebrity on the Big Brother reality show, but can it keep her out of prison? Original post Here
An appeals court upheld the verdict jailing the former Socialist Party mayor of Himara, Jorgo Goro, who was at the centre of a political storm during a controversial election in 2023. Original post Here
The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here
V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …
As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here
The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. 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