Albania Judges Warned Police of Threats Before Fatal Court Shooting
The shocking killing of judge Astrit Kalaja on Monday inside a Tirana court has led to serious questions over levels of security in the country’s institutions. Original post Here
Troubled Waters: Albania’s Wild River ‘Protected Only on Paper’
A wild river given protection as a ‘national park’ in 2023 still faces serious threats to its biodiversity from pollution – and Albania’s government is doing little to stop it. Original post Here
Albania’s Opposition Backs Actor-Activist for Tirana Mayor
The Democratic Party declared its support for an independent candidate, the actor Florjan Binaj – who is known for lampooning Prime Minister Edi Rama – in Tirana’s high-profile mayoral byelection next month. Original post Here
Judge Shot to Death in Albanian Courtroom
Judge Astrit Kalaja was shot and killed during a hearing at the Court of Appeal in Tirana, drawing shocked reactions from political leaders. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: October 6, 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
Week in Review: Between Hope and Despair
While political deadlock feeds despair in some corners of the region, glimmers of hope shine through in others, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. Original post Here
Albania and Colombia Arrest 17 for Trafficking Women for Sex Work
The EU police agency said 17 people suspected of trafficking women from South America to Europe for sexual exploitation have been arrested in Albania and Colombia. Original post Here
Rama’s Trump Joke Overshadows Copenhagen Summit
Tirana, Albania (Tirana Times). Prime Minister Edi Rama’s attempt at humor during a European summit turned into a viral spectacle on Thursday, overshadowing the European Political Community’s agenda in Copenhagen and sparking both international scrutiny and domestic criticism. The incident unfolded when Rama, known for injecting jokes into international meetings, …
Mayoral Election in Capital Stirs Albanian Opposition Hopes of Comeback
The byelection in Tirana, whose Socialist mayor is behind bars, is a precious opportunity for Albania’s opposition – but analysts warn that victory remains unlikely. Original post Here
Albania Govt Demands Elections in Capital Despite Jailed Mayor’s Court Appeal
Ruling Socialists push for new elections in Tirana as jailed mayor tries to block the move, claiming his dismissal is in breach of his constitutional rights. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama stated this Sunday on the podcast “Flasim” that the price of fuel in the country is not set arbitrarily, clarifying the role of the Transparency Board. According to him, the Transparency Board is actively working to reflect the impact of the conflict involving Iran on oil …
Opposition leader Sali Berisha accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of misleading citizens over fuel prices and of concealing failures in attracting foreign investments. In a video message published today, Berisha criticized the increase in fuel prices set by the fuel board, emphasizing that this demonstrates the government’s direct influence on …
The Government of Kosovo has approved the review of a draft decision to deploy the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) on an international stabilization mission in Gaza. The decision to send troops was approved unanimously, with no votes against and no abstentions. The approval paves the way for the decision to …
The drugstore chain Rossmann & Lala, a German brand present in Albania since 2008, has launched a new development strategy that combines expanding its market presence with reducing prices for Albanian consumers. At a time when the rising cost of living remains one of the main concerns for Albanian families, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, at the opening of a conference at the Prime Minister’s Office presenting an overview of negotiations with the European Union, emphasized that Albania is moving forward with concrete steps to fulfill the necessary reforms in line with European standards. “It is important to keep in mind …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has stated that by 2027, Albania should have achieved concrete results in order to join the European Union. Among other things, he said that significant progress has been made in public procurement, but added that the country is still not within a solid framework of good …
The Minister of Finance, Petrit Malaj, held a press conference today where he presented an overview of the country’s economic growth. Increasing revenues, improving digital services, and developing systems through Artificial Intelligence are strategic objectives aimed at meeting European standards. During his remarks, Minister Malaj stated that the Albanian economy …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking during a conference with negotiators on Albania’s path toward the European Union, stated that the process carries significant weight. According to him, it is historic and transformative for the Albanian state. “This process substantially increases the institutional capacities of the state. It brings extraordinary benefits …
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, announced that he will invite leaders of opposition parties to meetings in an effort to secure the necessary votes for the election of the country’s new president. He stated that so far he has not had enough time to conduct internal consultations regarding …
The Constitutional Court has declared inadmissible the request of the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, regarding the appointment of members of the Central Election Commission (CEC). Osmani had requested an assessment of a “conflict between constitutional competencies under Article 113” of the Constitution—specifically between herself and “parliamentary groups as bodies …