Newsanalysis: Kosovo Parliament Fails Again to Elect Speaker, Highlighting Deepening Partisan Divides and Institutional Fragility
Tirana, Tirana Times, April 27 — Kosovo’s political deadlock deepened further on Sunday as the Parliament failed once again to elect a Speaker and officially constitute the Assembly, despite seven attempts. The candidate proposed by the winning party, Vetëvendosje (VV), acting Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu, did not secure enough votes, …
Elmar Brok: Berisha calls for liberation – Rama’s power crumbles
A new chapter is dawning in Albania. For the first time in years, Edi Rama’s iron-fisted ruleis beginning to totter. The country is facing a historic decision: Freedom or downfall. And inthe midst of this moment, an old fighter rises up – Sali Berisha, the symbol of Albania’s firstliberation, is …
Farewell, Pope Francis
By Jerina Zaloshnja Rakipi — Reporting from Vatican City Tirana Times, April 26, 2025 In 1967, a Catholic priest in Tirana—whose name I never managed to learn—quietly came to our home to baptize me. I was only two years old, born to a Bektashi father and a Muslim mother, who, …
Digital Divide: The Albanians Left Behind by Move to Online Public Services
Albania has moved almost all of its public administration online, yet the elderly, those with disabilities, and others who lack the necessary digital skills risk being locked out if authorities do not step up support. Original post Here
Challenging Justice: Albanian Parties Field Candidates Facing Corruption Charges
Promises to clean up politics – and not run candidates with suspected or proven crime links – seem to have been dumped by both main parties contesting next month’s parliamentary election. Original post Here
Balkan Leaders Express Sorrow After Death of Pope Francis
Balkan leaders and Catholic believers across the region voiced their condolences after the death of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday after a period of ill-health. Original post Here
Albanians Remember ‘Extraordinary Woman’ Who Endured Torture for Her Faith
A Catholic nun who was persecuted as an enemy of the Communist regime in her short lifetime, Marie Tuci is today widely honoured in Albania as both a saint and a symbol of courage. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: April 14, 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
BIRN Fact-Check: Is Albanian PM’s Promise of 2030 EU Accession Realistic?
Experts say the Albanian prime minister’s pledge to secure membership of the EU by 2030 is little more than a “fairytale” for the electorate ahead of elections in May. Original post Here
Italy Sends More Migrants to Albania After Change of Plan
A new shipload of migrants from Italy arrived in Albania on Friday after the Rome government changed the rules on the use of its detention centre in the Balkan country after previous legal setbacks to the offshoring project. Original post Here
TIRANA, May 21 – Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has expressed concern over a video published by Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir showing detained activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, among them an Albanian national. Meanwhile, Hoxha reacted on the social media platform X, …
TIRANA, May 21 – The Marché du Film concluded in Cannes, with Albania and Kosova represented through a joint stand by the National Cinematography Center of Albania and the Cinematography Center of Kosova. The Marché du Film, held within the Cannes Film Festival framework, functions as the festival’s business market …
TIRANA, May 21 – The Ombudsman of Albania, Endrit Shabani, contacted Matanyahu Englman, the Israeli State Comptroller and Ombudsman. He requested full guarantees for the rights, physical integrity, and treatment of Albanian citizen Baki Goxhaj. Israeli authorities detained Goxhaj during an operation against the humanitarian initiative “Global Sumud Flotilla”. Shabani …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”7bc4bf37-c90d-4560-a851-2eb1752bfc4d” data-turn-id-container=”7bc4bf37-c90d-4560-a851-2eb1752bfc4d” data-testid=”conversation-turn-27″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> Preparations for the biggest sporting event in the country’s history, the “Prishtina 2030” Mediterranean Games, are entering an intensive phase of institutional coordination. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:2fe339d6-cc2f-4730-974c-1c32e33c2c15-13″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:2fe339d6-cc2f-4730-974c-1c32e33c2c15-13″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-28″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Acting Minister of Youth and Sports, Blerim …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”c95c2a13-72c0-43e1-9252-fe79f8d8e808″ data-turn-id-container=”c95c2a13-72c0-43e1-9252-fe79f8d8e808″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-33″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Presence in Albania has assessed that the work of the Special Commission on Electoral Reform has progressed slowly, but welcomed the resumption of its activity and its focus on important issues such …
Montenegro this week is marking the 20th anniversary of its independence with concerts and festive activities taking place in the capital, Podgorica, and other cities across the country. On May 21, 2006, Montenegrin citizens voted in a historic referendum on the future of the state, with 55.5% choosing independence after …
Albanian citizen Baki Goxhaj has departed for Turkey on one of the aircraft provided by the Turkish government for the transport of activists detained by Israel. According to sources from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, he is currently on his way to Istanbul, where he will be received …
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–header-height)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”32a4dda1-cf36-4cd4-b698-7534afe718a0″ data-turn-id-container=”32a4dda1-cf36-4cd4-b698-7534afe718a0″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-35″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”user”> This Thursday, Albania passed the draft of the European Union’s common interim position in the COELA working group in Brussels. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:2fe339d6-cc2f-4730-974c-1c32e33c2c15-17″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:2fe339d6-cc2f-4730-974c-1c32e33c2c15-17″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-36″ data-scroll-anchor=”false” data-turn=”assistant”> Meanwhile, tomorrow the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report, otherwise known as …
Tirana loves a good spectacle. Walk through the capital today and you are greeted by sleek new glass towers, vibrant urban spaces, and a relentless political chorus proclaiming Albania as the next big digital hub of the Western Balkans. But scratch beneath the surface of this calculated showmanship, and a …
TIRANA, May 21 – The Transparency Board set new ceiling prices for fuel trading during its latest meeting. The new prices enter into force today at 13:00. According to the decision, the retail price of SSH EN 590 diesel will not exceed 197 ALL per litre. Meanwhile, the wholesale price …