‘Hope Dies Last’: The Bosnian Wartime Sexual Violence Survivor Fighting for Justice
In the second of BIRN’s series about women’s wartime activism, Midheta Kaloper explains how she survived sexual violence during the Bosnian war and now helps other survivors to fight for their rights – and bring the perpetrators to justice. Original post Here
Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion
By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance have become more pronounced, and in a synthesized way this is reflected in the increasing number of MPs of the ruling party from one mandate to …
Week in Review: Surprises and Standoffs
As the year draws towards its end, our Balkan Insight Premium stories show that there is no shortage of political surprises, unexpected twists and new standoffs across the region. Original post Here
How Albanians in America Lobbied for Freedom Back Home
Albanian-American writer Fron Nahzi’s new book explains how the Albanian diaspora used its newfound freedom in the United States to campaign for a range of nationalist causes. Original post Here
Rebuilt Housing Estate for Albanian Quake Survivors Hosts Just One Family
The earthquake that hit Albania in November 2019 left many families homeless. But a rural housing estate built to accommodate some of them remains almost empty due to problems with infrastructure and insecure terrain. Original post Here
Albania’s Political Absurdity:Doomsday – The Day Albania “Lost” Its Deputy PM
O tempora, o mores. After Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku faced criminal charges, and after the court suspended her from office and banned her from leaving the country, what one would normally expect is either her immediate resignation or her immediate dismissal by Prime …
The Limits of Spectacle Diplomacy in the UK–Albania Migration Row
The clash between Edi Rama and Shabana Mahmood over the fate of 700 Albanian families in the UK exposes a deeper truth about modern diplomacy: visibility is not the same as influence. When the Home Secretary singled out Albanian families while announcing sweeping asylum reforms, she was not improvising. She …
Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility
Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test …
Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections
By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times). Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for describing the country’s May 11 parliamentary elections as “free and fair,” arguing that her assessment contradicts the findings of international election monitors. In a statement delivered …
Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary
New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here
TIRANA, May 28 – The Central State Film Archive announced the resumption of archival filming after a 27-year interruption. Archive Director Eljan Tanini described the move as an important step. He said the initiative gives the institution a new opportunity to document Albanian life and preserve the country’s collective memory. …
TIRANA, May 28 – Albania improved its position in the Global Tax Expenditures Transparency Index, an international ranking that measures transparency and reporting quality in tax expenditures. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said Albania ranked 48th among 116 countries with 51.73 points out of 100. He said the country previously ranked …
TIRANA, May 28 – Farmers across Albania receive assistance for applications under the 2026 National Support Scheme. Staff work at offices of the Agricultural and Rural Extension Agency (AREB) and Agropoints and guide farmers through applications on the e-Albania portal. Meanwhile, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla called on …
TIRANA, May 28 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said today that the Council of Ministers approved three decisions related to the defence sector. Meanwhile, Nufi said the first decision concerns the extension of Albania’s mission in Latvia. He said Albania currently deploys a platoon in Latvia. He added that the …
TIRANA, May 28 – Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo presented today the “Renewal 2.0” programme, a package of 11 strategic objectives focused on territorial intervention and sustainable regional development. Meanwhile, Demo said the programme aims to establish a new model of local development by combining cultural identity, …
TIRANA, May 28 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said the Council of Ministers approved several decisions covering civil protection, international missions, and military structure. The minister confirmed approval of 44 civil protection projects. He said 26 projects focus on infrastructure works. He added that 18 projects cover equipment and emergency …
TIRANA, May 28 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha reacted today to Russia’s warning for diplomats and foreign citizens to leave Kyiv. Meanwhile, Hoxha described the Russian move as completely unacceptable. He wrote on social media that threats against embassies do not represent diplomacy. He said such actions amount to intimidation. …
TIRANA, May 28 – Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu said the European Union recognises Albania’s progress in the integration process. She also called for careful reading of the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report, known as IBAR. Meanwhile, Koçiu spoke after the Council of Ministers meeting. She addressed questions on whether the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama continued his exchange with Reporters Without Borders this Thursday. Rama’s latest response came after Reporters Without Borders, through a social media post on Thursday, urged him to focus on media freedom issues rather than on their reports. In his response, Rama emphasized that he had presented …
After the government meeting, Defense Minister Ermal Nufi stated during a media communication that the mission of Albanian soldiers in Gaza is still under discussion with international partners and involved parties. According to him, given the delicate situation in Gaza, security measures and the specific duties Albanian soldiers would carry …