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Elections chief: Parliament constitutionally obligated to grant diaspora distance-voting rights by year’s end

TIRANA, Sept. 20, 2023 – Ilirjan Celibashi, the  head of Albania’s Central Election Commission (CEC), says the country’s parliament must provide a solution to the issue of Albanian citizens being able to vote from abroad by December as per the recent decision of Albania’s highest court.  In a press conference …

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Albania’s exports hit hard by currency strength

TIRANA, Sept. 20, 2023 – Albania’s exports saw a sharp decline of almost 22 percent year-on-year, according to the latest official data, with exporters blaming the local currency’s strength making Albanian products more expensive in the EU market.  In August 2023, the value of exported goods reached 27 billion leks …

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Today, Albania chairs the session of the UN Security Council

The session of the Security Council of the United Nations (UN) today will be chaired by Albania. The Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, has emphasized that this is one of the most important sessions of the last decade. “Good morning and with this photo from the UN courtyard, where …

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Vlora, begins the hearing session for 6 detained by police and RENEA

The security measure for the 6 people detained by the police and the RENEA forces is taking place today in the Court of Vlora. The 6 persons arrested two days ago as a result of the Obelisk action have arrived at the court. The judge of this case is Emirjana …

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Two cases of illegal gambling cracked down in Tirana

Police of Tirana have cracked down this Wednesday on two cases of illegal organization of gambling, in two bars. In the first case, the owner of the bar was arrested and two other citizens were processed at large. In the second case, the owner of the bar was declared wanted, …

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The elections in Kukes/ Celibashi tells how much will cost to the state budget

The chairman of the Central Election Commission, Ilirjan Celibashi, has spoken about the partial elections in the Kukes Municipality, which will be held on September 24. He said that there are over 45,000 voters in Kukes, who can exercise their right to elect the new head of the municipality. “It …

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Minister Hasani participate in high-level meetings of the UN General Assembly

As part of the High Level Week of the UN General Assembly, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, part of the Albanian delegation headed by President Bajram Begaj, participated in the working morning organized by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Minister of Italy, Antonio Tajani, with …

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Begaj at the UN: Sustainable development, our strong guarantee for a world of peace and stability

President Bajram Begaj has participated in the High Level Political Forum for Sustainable Development at the UN. At the invitation of the Secretary General of the UN, Begaj participated in this meeting that preceded the start of the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly. President Begaj spoke on behalf of …

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Elbasan, youth arrested on drugs charges

A 26-year-old that was declared wanted during the “Temple” operation has been handcuffed by the Elbasan police, as announced Tuesday morning. According to the police, the young man was arrested in the “28 November” neighborhood. Law enforcement revealed that he was declared wanted after the Court of First Instance of …

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Young man caught for hauling 12 ilegal migrants

A 36-year-old man from Kukësi was arrested this Tuesday morning in Fushe Kruja area after he was trafficking 12 illegal immigrants. Police announced that the young man would traffic the emigrants in the direction of Kosovo, against a financial sum of 600 EUR per person. He had left Saranda in …

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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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Kosovo’s Kurti Sued for Keeping Prime Ministerial Post Despite Resigning

The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here

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‘Third Parties’: Albanian Election Campaign Marred by Online Scheming

Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found. Original post Here

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Albanian Ex-Negotiator Says PM’s Pledge of EU Accession in 2030 ‘Delusional’

In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030. Original post Here

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Albanian Elections – New Political Forces Challenge Albania’s Political Duopoly

TIRANA, Albania , May 6th (Tirana Times ) — On May 11, Albanians will head to the polls for parliamentary elections marked by a crowded field of contenders: 53 political parties and over 2,000 candidates will vie for 140 seats in the national legislature. While this diversity may signal political …

News
Jordan’s King Abdullah II Makes Rare Visit to Albania Amid Sparse Bilateral Ties

President Begaj welcomes His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with a solemn ceremony. May 2, 2025 | TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times In a visit marked more by symbolism than substance, Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrived in Tirana on Friday for …

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Saudi Cultural Heritage Celebrated in Prishtina with Opening of “Urat” Exhibition

Tirana Times | May 2nd | Prishtina, Kosovo — A unique cultural bridge between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia was inaugurated on Thursday with the opening of the “Urat” exhibition in central Prishtina, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage. Organized in partnership between the Islamic Community of Kosovo and …

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Criminal Enterprise and Investment Policy in Albania

The involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds or ties to the underworld among Albania’s so-called strategic investors must be examined in a broader context. Politically, this phenomenon represents one of the clearest signs of the symbiosis between crime and politics — and of the state being effectively captured by organized …

News
RSF Report: Media Freedom Tumbling in Most Balkan Countries

Press freedom has continued a downward slide in most Balkan countries according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders – although Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have bucked the trend. Original post Here

News
The EU Court’s Verdict on Golden Passports: Implications for Albania

Genc Pollo – President of the Paneuropa Albania MovementFormer Minister and MP April 2025 “Whatever the European Court decides—if it says it can’t be done, we won’t do it; if it says it can, we will.” This was, roughly speaking, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s stance in March 2023, expressed at …

News

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

News

Kosovo’s Kurti Sued for Keeping Prime Ministerial Post Despite Resigning

The Democratic League of Kosovo has filed 17 lawsuits in a fresh legal challenge against the outgoing prime minister, Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, and his ministers. Original post Here

News

‘Third Parties’: Albanian Election Campaign Marred by Online Scheming

Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found. Original post Here

News

Albanian Ex-Negotiator Says PM’s Pledge of EU Accession in 2030 ‘Delusional’

In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030. Original post Here

News

Albanian Elections – New Political Forces Challenge Albania’s Political Duopoly

TIRANA, Albania , May 6th (Tirana Times ) — On May 11, Albanians will head to the polls for parliamentary elections marked by a crowded field of contenders: 53 political parties and over 2,000 candidates will vie for 140 seats in the national legislature. While this diversity may signal political …

News

Jordan’s King Abdullah II Makes Rare Visit to Albania Amid Sparse Bilateral Ties

President Begaj welcomes His Majesty Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, with a solemn ceremony. May 2, 2025 | TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times In a visit marked more by symbolism than substance, Jordan’s King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein arrived in Tirana on Friday for …

News

Saudi Cultural Heritage Celebrated in Prishtina with Opening of “Urat” Exhibition

Tirana Times | May 2nd | Prishtina, Kosovo — A unique cultural bridge between Kosovo and Saudi Arabia was inaugurated on Thursday with the opening of the “Urat” exhibition in central Prishtina, showcasing the Kingdom’s rich Islamic and cultural heritage. Organized in partnership between the Islamic Community of Kosovo and …

News

Criminal Enterprise and Investment Policy in Albania

The involvement of individuals with criminal backgrounds or ties to the underworld among Albania’s so-called strategic investors must be examined in a broader context. Politically, this phenomenon represents one of the clearest signs of the symbiosis between crime and politics — and of the state being effectively captured by organized …

News

RSF Report: Media Freedom Tumbling in Most Balkan Countries

Press freedom has continued a downward slide in most Balkan countries according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders – although Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have bucked the trend. Original post Here

News

The EU Court’s Verdict on Golden Passports: Implications for Albania

Genc Pollo – President of the Paneuropa Albania MovementFormer Minister and MP April 2025 “Whatever the European Court decides—if it says it can’t be done, we won’t do it; if it says it can, we will.” This was, roughly speaking, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s stance in March 2023, expressed at …