Shielding Power from Justice
How legislative moves to protect senior officials are putting Albania’s rule of law and EU path at risk By Zef Preçi When governments begin rewriting the rules to protect themselves from the courts, the problem is no longer legal. It is political. Albania’s latest debate over judicial measures against senior …
Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect
An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here
Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci
MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here
Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’
Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here
Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …
Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption
Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …
Solar Energy Revolution Comes at a Cost in Rural Albania
Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here
Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending
As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here
Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe
In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here
Opposition Takes to the Streets as Corruption Scandal Reaches the Heart of Power
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …
Protest against the government on the anniversary of the fall of dictator Enver Hoxha’s statue Tirana Times, February 21, 2026 – The national opposition protest held in Tirana on 20 February 2026 marked a new and more volatile phase in Albania’s political confrontation, as long-standing institutional disputes spilled decisively into …
PM Rama urges Trump to act on The Hague court and Kosovo leaders. Tirana Times, February 20 2026 – Albania has confirmed it will contribute troops and police personnel to the international stabilization mission in Gaza under the newly created Peace Board, an initiative announced by U.S. President Donald Trump …
Balkan and Turkish leaders lauded the Board of Peace at its Washington launch on Thursday – while the participation of an EU Commissioner from Croatia drew criticism from some EU states about her presence. Original post Here
Proposed legal amendments preventing courts from suspending senior officials would be a major blow to progress on tackling corruption – and to Albania’s EU accession process, writes legal expert Gentian Serjani. Original post Here
Digital spaces are the new frontlines for challenging entrenched political and economic interests, but the backlash against civic groups trying to expose corruption and environmental destruction or demand official accountability can be fierce. Original post Here
Proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code following the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku trigger opposition backlash, institutional tension, and renewed concerns over judicial independence and EU accession. Tirana Times, February 16 2026 – The Albanian government has launched an urgent legislative initiative to amend the Criminal Procedure …
This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here
Proposed legal changes, which would protect ministers and other top officials from suspension by the courts, draw condemnation as a move to block anti-corruption investigations. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Tirana Times, February 15, 2026 – Albania’s much publicized artificial intelligence “minister” Diella is now at the center of a legal and political controversy after actor Anila Bisha filed a lawsuit against the Albanian government, accusing state institutions of unlawfully using her image and voice. The case, filed at the Administrative …