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Young Voters Must Stop Albania Stagnating and Lead the Way to the EU

The low youth turnout at Albania’s parliamentary election was an alarm call. Without young voices demanding reform, the country cannot tackle corruption and democratic backsliding, end the brain drain and move towards EU membership. Original post Here

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Share Your Experience: Menstrual Poverty in the Balkans and France

Are you a woman saving up on menstrual products? Trying to make them last longer than prescribed, or using reusable products? Tell us your story. Original post Here

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Albania’s Small Parties Defy Odds to Challenge Electoral Duopoly

Despite an electoral system designed to keep them down, small parties won almost 10 per cent of the votes and a few seats in the parliamentary elections – taking on the big parties’ stranglehold on Albanian politics. Original post Here

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Albanian Opposition Rejects Election Results as Socialists Score Major Victory

After Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party won a record fourth term in office with a big majority, opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha said he would refuse to accept the results and announced a street protest. Original post Here

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Free and Fair? Albania’s Flawed Election Reflects Worrying Global Trend

In a world where interest-driven foreign policies take precedence over democratic standards, the abuses documented during Albania’s parliamentary election are unlikely to meet much criticism – allowing the ruling Socialist Party to consolidate power. Original post Here

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International Observers Condemn ‘Abusive Practices’ in Albania’s Elections

International observers criticised ‘widespread intimidation and abuse of public resources’ in Sunday’s election – which Edi Rama’s ruling Socialist Party looks set to win by a landslide. Original post Here

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Edi Rama’s Socialist Party Leads in Albanian Parliamentary Elections

With vote-counting continuing from Sunday’s election, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s party appears to be on track to win an unprecedented fourth term in office, although Sali Berisha’s opposition Democratic Party is showing gains. Original post Here

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Balkan Church Leaders Embrace Leo, the First American Pope

Balkan members of the Catholic Church have praised “broad-minded, spontaneous” Pope Leo XIV for his education, experience and openness. Original post Here

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May 11 Elections: Albania at a Democratic and European Crossroads

Tirana Times,  May 8,– On May 11, 2025, Albania will hold its tenth parliamentary elections since the fall of communism in 1991 – a moment expected to be decisive not only for the political fate of the main parties but also for the democratic future and European orientation of the …

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Diaspora Vote and New Parties Bring Air of Uncertainty to Albanian Election

The Socialists and Democrats are still likely to dominate the Albanian political landscape after elections on May 11, but a cluster of new parties and the introduction of diaspora postal votes are threatening to shake things up. Original post Here

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Ahmetaj Calls for Stronger Transparency and Consumer Protection in Microfinance

Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania, Natasha Ahmetaj, called for stronger transparency and consumer protection in the microfinance sector. She spoke during the 28th Annual Conference of the Microfinance Centre. The event focused on the future of microfinance and its social mission. Ahmetaj said microfinance must remain an …

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Council of Europe Report: Albania Among Countries with Highest Pre-Trial Detention Rates

Council of Europe reports that Albania is among European countries with the highest incarceration and pre-trial detention rates. The findings come from the annual SPACE I report for 2025. The data shows 192 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants in Albania. At the same time, prison occupancy remains relatively low. Albania records …

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Peace Board calls UN Security Council to pressure Hamas to disarm

TIRANA, May 20 – The Peace Board, created to oversee the Gaza ceasefire, will ask the United Nations Security Council to pressure Hamas to disarm, according to AP. Albania is a member of the Peace Board. A report scheduled for discussion at the Security Council says Hamas’ refusal to surrender …

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Green light for “Gateway to the Alps” as economy committee approves European Investment Bank funding for northern infrastructure

TIRANA, May 20 – The Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance has approved a draft law that opens the way for financing one of the most important infrastructure projects in northern Albania, known as “Gateway to the Alps”. The committee, led by chair Milva Ekonomi, reviewed the financial agreement between …

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Clear weather across the country with light cloud cover

TIRANA, May 20 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will experience stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. The weather will be clear across the territory. Light and temporary cloud cover will appear in mountainous areas in the east from midday to the afternoon. Wind will blow from the northwest to …

News
PM Rama meets South Korean counterpart Kim Min-seok in Seoul to boost trade, investment and artificial intelligence cooperation

TIRANA, May 20 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok during his visit to South Korea. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen relations between the two countries. Rama said South Korea serves as an inspiration for Albania in national development. He added that both …

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Mazniku: New Territorial Reform Must Close Development Gap Between Municipalities

Albania aims to reduce development gaps between municipalities through a new territorial reform. Administrative-Territorial Reform Co-Chair Arbjan Mazniku spoke during a public hearing in Durrës. He said balanced territorial development remains a major challenge for local government. Mazniku said the 2014 reform brought positive results. He noted better services and …

News
Tax Authorities and IMF Discuss Implementation of Fiscal Peace Measures

Albania’s tax administration met experts from the International Monetary Fund to discuss the implementation of the “Fiscal Peace” package. General Tax Director Ilir Binaj led the meeting in Tirana. The sides reviewed progress on tax reforms. They also discussed the EU Growth Plan, TADAT standards and debt management measures. Officials …

News
Albania to Host Socca European Championship Starting Tomorrow

Albania will officially launch the Socca European Championship tomorrow at the House of Football. Organizers built a modern mini stadium for the event. The venue will host matches from 28 national teams over five days. The tournament will begin at 09:00 with the match between Bulgaria and Ireland. Group stage …

News
Lamallari: Coastal Security and Territorial Control Key Priorities for Tourist Season

Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said security and territorial control along Albania’s coastline remain key priorities for the tourist season. Lamallari spoke during a meeting in Sarandë with State Police officials, territorial inspectors and local institutions. He referred to recent events in the coastal city, where authorities detained four police officers …

News

Ahmetaj Calls for Stronger Transparency and Consumer Protection in Microfinance

Second Deputy Governor of the Bank of Albania, Natasha Ahmetaj, called for stronger transparency and consumer protection in the microfinance sector. She spoke during the 28th Annual Conference of the Microfinance Centre. The event focused on the future of microfinance and its social mission. Ahmetaj said microfinance must remain an …

News

Council of Europe Report: Albania Among Countries with Highest Pre-Trial Detention Rates

Council of Europe reports that Albania is among European countries with the highest incarceration and pre-trial detention rates. The findings come from the annual SPACE I report for 2025. The data shows 192 prisoners per 100,000 inhabitants in Albania. At the same time, prison occupancy remains relatively low. Albania records …

News

Peace Board calls UN Security Council to pressure Hamas to disarm

TIRANA, May 20 – The Peace Board, created to oversee the Gaza ceasefire, will ask the United Nations Security Council to pressure Hamas to disarm, according to AP. Albania is a member of the Peace Board. A report scheduled for discussion at the Security Council says Hamas’ refusal to surrender …

News

Green light for “Gateway to the Alps” as economy committee approves European Investment Bank funding for northern infrastructure

TIRANA, May 20 – The Committee on Economy, Employment and Finance has approved a draft law that opens the way for financing one of the most important infrastructure projects in northern Albania, known as “Gateway to the Alps”. The committee, led by chair Milva Ekonomi, reviewed the financial agreement between …

News

Clear weather across the country with light cloud cover

TIRANA, May 20 – The Military Meteorological Service said Albania will experience stable atmospheric conditions on Wednesday. The weather will be clear across the territory. Light and temporary cloud cover will appear in mountainous areas in the east from midday to the afternoon. Wind will blow from the northwest to …

News

PM Rama meets South Korean counterpart Kim Min-seok in Seoul to boost trade, investment and artificial intelligence cooperation

TIRANA, May 20 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok during his visit to South Korea. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen relations between the two countries. Rama said South Korea serves as an inspiration for Albania in national development. He added that both …

News

Mazniku: New Territorial Reform Must Close Development Gap Between Municipalities

Albania aims to reduce development gaps between municipalities through a new territorial reform. Administrative-Territorial Reform Co-Chair Arbjan Mazniku spoke during a public hearing in Durrës. He said balanced territorial development remains a major challenge for local government. Mazniku said the 2014 reform brought positive results. He noted better services and …

News

Tax Authorities and IMF Discuss Implementation of Fiscal Peace Measures

Albania’s tax administration met experts from the International Monetary Fund to discuss the implementation of the “Fiscal Peace” package. General Tax Director Ilir Binaj led the meeting in Tirana. The sides reviewed progress on tax reforms. They also discussed the EU Growth Plan, TADAT standards and debt management measures. Officials …

News

Albania to Host Socca European Championship Starting Tomorrow

Albania will officially launch the Socca European Championship tomorrow at the House of Football. Organizers built a modern mini stadium for the event. The venue will host matches from 28 national teams over five days. The tournament will begin at 09:00 with the match between Bulgaria and Ireland. Group stage …

News

Lamallari: Coastal Security and Territorial Control Key Priorities for Tourist Season

Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari said security and territorial control along Albania’s coastline remain key priorities for the tourist season. Lamallari spoke during a meeting in Sarandë with State Police officials, territorial inspectors and local institutions. He referred to recent events in the coastal city, where authorities detained four police officers …