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Rama Reacts to Student Protests: No Force in the World Can Bring Albania Down Again

Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted on social media to the ongoing protests by university and high school students in Tirana. Rama published a message expressing his love for Albania, accompanying the post with a photograph of a fallen road sign. “I loved Albania unconditionally when it had been brought …

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Student Protests: Albania’s Interreligious Council Calls for Dialogue, Peace and Listening to Young People

Albania’s religious leaders have issued a joint statement regarding the situation arising from student protests held across the country in recent days. In the statement, religious leaders called for peace, justice, responsibility and dialogue. The Interreligious Council stressed that young people must be heard and that institutions must provide responses …

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Tirana Student Protests: 56 Arrested, 97 Others Face Criminal Proceedings

Tirana Police have issued an official statement regarding protesters detained during Thursday’s protests. According to police, 56 people have been arrested and criminal proceedings have been initiated against 97 others. In the statement, police said protesters had engaged in acts of violence, throwing stones, hard objects and pyrotechnic devices at …

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Ilir Panda Takes Over as President of the Supreme Court as Sokol Sadushi Hands Over Office

Sokol Sadushi officially handed over his duties as President of the Supreme Court to Ilir Panda during a ceremony held this Friday in Tirana, in the Joint Chambers Hall. The ceremony was attended by Supreme Court judges, legal advisers, and members of the court’s administrative staff. The handover marks the …

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127 Arrested in Tirana, Public Order Director: Communication Channels Identified Calling for Terrorist Acts

The Director of the Department for Public Order and Security, Dhimitraq Ziu, said in a public statement on Friday that 127 people have so far been arrested in Tirana, while another 244 have been placed under investigation without being detained. The senior police official also stated that the Cybercrime Investigation …

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Interior Minister Demo: 156 injured in four days of protests, urges parents not to let children be used in violence

Interior Minister Ervin Demo has once again responded to the protests and violent incidents reported over the past four days. In a statement, Demo provided an overview of the situation, revealing that 156 people had been injured, including 97 police officers, 45 protesters and 12 bystanders. The minister paid particular …

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QSUT: 11 injured during protest, including 3 minors, 3 police officers and 2 bystanders

Tirana University Hospital Centre (QSUT) has updated its figures on the condition of those injured during the protest, as of 6:45 p.m. According to the statement, a total of 11 people have sought medical assistance, including protesters, minors, police officers and bystanders. Full statement: Update / Injuries during the October …

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Albania PM Defiant as Protests Spread to Provincial Cities

After the capital endured a third night of violent clashes between student-led protesters and police, Edi Rama vowed not to bow to the demands for him to quit. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Bad Deals and Scandals

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week takes a look at salacious tales making unpleasant headlines, political deals being mooted and insiders spilling secrets. Original post Here

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Albania’s construction sector grows 36% in four years, among Europe’s fastest expansions

Albania’s construction sector expanded rapidly between 2020 and 2024, ranking among Europe’s fastest-growing markets. The latest Eurostat data show that real construction activity rose by 36% over the four-year period. Eurostat measures construction’s gross value added in real terms, using comparable prices and 2020 as the base year. Albania’s index …

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Quo Vadis, Albania?

by Dr. Elez Bebiraj Tirana Times, October 17, 2026 – Albania is facing the most serious political crisis of Edi Rama’s thirteen years in power. Protesters demanding the prime minister’s resignation have attacked government buildings, clashed with police, and damaged public and private property. The unrest has spread from Tirana …

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Chief of General Staff of Albanian Armed Forces Meets US Ambassador Eric Wendt

The Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, has met with the new US Ambassador, Eric Wendt. In a social media post, Kingji said that during the meeting, he expressed his gratitude for the United States’ continued support in the field of defence, …

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Tirana Protests, US Embassy Tells Euronews: Citizens Should Express Their Views Lawfully

Sources at the US Embassy, speaking to Euronews Albania about the situation surrounding the protests in Tirana, stressed the importance of ensuring that demonstrations are conducted lawfully and peacefully. “We encourage citizens participating in protests to express their views in a lawful and peaceful manner. Acts of violence have no …

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Former Albanian Ministers Face New Anti-Corruption Scrutiny

Olta Xhaçka under investigation for corruption and money laundering as prosecutors examine a separate case involving the husband of former minister Ogerta Manastirliu. Tirana Times, October 16, 2026 – Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has formally placed former Defense and Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka under …

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Tougher Security Response Won’t Solve Albania’s Growing Crisis: Experts

As Prime Minister Edi Rama rules out resignation in response to violent protests, a political solution is needed to calm the unrest, experts argue. Original post Here

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BBC REPORT: Albania’s Protests Turn Violent as Anti-Government Anger Spreads Across the Country

Anti-government protests in Albania have escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and police, with unrest spreading from Tirana to several other major cities. In its latest report, the BBC examines the causes of the demonstrations, the growing public anger and the government’s response. The protests intensified on Tuesday, October 13, …

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Polish Embassy Advises Travellers to Avoid Protest Areas in Tirana

The Polish Embassy in Tirana has urged travellers to avoid areas where protests are taking place, as demonstrations in the Albanian capital continue for several days. According to Polish media outlet TVP World, the warning follows an escalation in student protests. The demonstrations initially focused on education-related issues and employment …

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Rama: “No Force in the World Can Bring Albania to Its Knees Again”

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to the ongoing protests by sharing an image of a road sign that protesters had knocked to the ground. Young people had earlier written a message in English on the sign: “I’ll never STOP loving you Albania.” Commenting on the image, Rama reaffirmed …

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Albania’s National History Museum Must Be Protected, Not Attacked, Director Says

Albania’s National History The National Historical Museum, one of Albania’s most important institutions preserving the country’s history and national identity, must be protected rather than attacked, its director, Elenita Roshi, has urged. Speaking to the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATSH) on October 16, Roshi stressed the museum’s importance following several attempts …

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UN Office in Tirana Reacts to Student Protests, Calls for Restraint and Dialogue

The United Nations in Albania has reacted to the protests in Tirana, expressing concern over acts of violence and escalating tensions. In its statement, the UN called on all parties to refrain from violence and engage in dialogue, emphasizing the importance of respecting fundamental rights and ensuring proportionality in law …

News

Quo Vadis, Albania?

by Dr. Elez Bebiraj Tirana Times, October 17, 2026 – Albania is facing the most serious political crisis of Edi Rama’s thirteen years in power. Protesters demanding the prime minister’s resignation have attacked government buildings, clashed with police, and damaged public and private property. The unrest has spread from Tirana …

News

Chief of General Staff of Albanian Armed Forces Meets US Ambassador Eric Wendt

The Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, has met with the new US Ambassador, Eric Wendt. In a social media post, Kingji said that during the meeting, he expressed his gratitude for the United States’ continued support in the field of defence, …

News

Tirana Protests, US Embassy Tells Euronews: Citizens Should Express Their Views Lawfully

Sources at the US Embassy, speaking to Euronews Albania about the situation surrounding the protests in Tirana, stressed the importance of ensuring that demonstrations are conducted lawfully and peacefully. “We encourage citizens participating in protests to express their views in a lawful and peaceful manner. Acts of violence have no …

News

Former Albanian Ministers Face New Anti-Corruption Scrutiny

Olta Xhaçka under investigation for corruption and money laundering as prosecutors examine a separate case involving the husband of former minister Ogerta Manastirliu. Tirana Times, October 16, 2026 – Albania’s Special Prosecution Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) has formally placed former Defense and Foreign Minister Olta Xhaçka under …

News

Tougher Security Response Won’t Solve Albania’s Growing Crisis: Experts

As Prime Minister Edi Rama rules out resignation in response to violent protests, a political solution is needed to calm the unrest, experts argue. Original post Here

News

BBC REPORT: Albania’s Protests Turn Violent as Anti-Government Anger Spreads Across the Country

Anti-government protests in Albania have escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators and police, with unrest spreading from Tirana to several other major cities. In its latest report, the BBC examines the causes of the demonstrations, the growing public anger and the government’s response. The protests intensified on Tuesday, October 13, …

News

Polish Embassy Advises Travellers to Avoid Protest Areas in Tirana

The Polish Embassy in Tirana has urged travellers to avoid areas where protests are taking place, as demonstrations in the Albanian capital continue for several days. According to Polish media outlet TVP World, the warning follows an escalation in student protests. The demonstrations initially focused on education-related issues and employment …

News

Rama: “No Force in the World Can Bring Albania to Its Knees Again”

Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has responded to the ongoing protests by sharing an image of a road sign that protesters had knocked to the ground. Young people had earlier written a message in English on the sign: “I’ll never STOP loving you Albania.” Commenting on the image, Rama reaffirmed …

News

Albania’s National History Museum Must Be Protected, Not Attacked, Director Says

Albania’s National History The National Historical Museum, one of Albania’s most important institutions preserving the country’s history and national identity, must be protected rather than attacked, its director, Elenita Roshi, has urged. Speaking to the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATSH) on October 16, Roshi stressed the museum’s importance following several attempts …

News

UN Office in Tirana Reacts to Student Protests, Calls for Restraint and Dialogue

The United Nations in Albania has reacted to the protests in Tirana, expressing concern over acts of violence and escalating tensions. In its statement, the UN called on all parties to refrain from violence and engage in dialogue, emphasizing the importance of respecting fundamental rights and ensuring proportionality in law …