President Begaj sets May 9, 2027, as date for Albania’s local elections
Albanian President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the country’s next local elections. The Electoral Code requires voting to take place on one of four Sundays between April 15 and May 15. During consultations, the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the State Election …
Albania Protests Enter Day 18 as Rama Calls for Dialogue
The protests by students and citizens against the government continue this Friday, marking their 18th consecutive day. Despite repeated calls for dialogue from Prime Minister Edi Rama, protesters remain firm in their position, demanding his resignation. Earlier today, Rama once again shared images on social media showing chairs placed outside …
Albania’s 2027 Local Elections: Opposition Boycotts President Begaj’s Consultations on Election Date
President Bajram Begaj will hold consultations with representatives of political parties this Friday to determine the date of the 2027 local elections, in a process that begins with most opposition parties rejecting his invitation. The first meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM with representatives of the Socialist Party, while representatives …
Student Protests: EU Ambassador Says Violence Cannot Be a Way to Express Discontent
The European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, visited Elbasan this Friday, where she attended the fourth meeting of the CoR-Albania Joint Consultative Committee. Referring to recent developments in the country, the ambassador stressed that violence cannot be a means of expressing discontent, while emphasizing the responsibility of …
Albanian Diplomat Bashkim Zeneli Dies at 78
Diplomat, former MP and publicist Bashkim Zeneli passed away this Friday at the age of 78. According to reports, Zeneli died in a hospital abroad. Zeneli served as a journalist, a member of the Albanian Parliament, and Albania’s ambassador to Germany and Greece. He was also one of the early …
SPAK Hosts International Anti-Corruption Meeting in Tirana, Bringing Together Representatives from 28 Jurisdictions
Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) hosted the 16th meeting of the Law Enforcement Network (LEN), part of the OECD Anti-Corruption Network for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ACN), in Tirana from October 27 to 29. In a statement published on social media on Friday, SPAK announced …
President Begaj Sets May 9, 2027, as Date for Local Elections in Albania
President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the next local government elections in Albania. In an official statement, the Presidency announced that the decision was made following consultations with representatives of political parties represented in Parliament and the State Election Commissioner. The consultations were attended …
EU Enlargement Draft: Kosovo Makes No Progress in Fundamental Areas
The European Commission is set to adopt and publish its annual EU progress reports on Wednesday, November 4, along with the enlargement package. According to draft versions of these documents, Kosovo is among the countries that have made no progress or have recorded only limited progress in most areas. The …
Pope Leo XIV Welcomes Albanian Bishops and Diocesan Administrators in Rome
Pope Leo XIV welcomes the bishops and diocesan administrators of Albania in a private audience at the Vatican during their Ad Limina Apostolorum visit, a periodic visit made by bishops from each country to the Vatican every five years. During the meeting, which lasted more than an hour, the bishops …
Albania’s 2027 Fiscal Package Sparks Backlash Over Higher Taxes and Investment Risks
The American Chamber of Commerce warns of risks to foreign investment as the government’s 2027 fiscal package faces growing opposition from businesses, lawmakers and economists. by Sidonja Manushi TIRANA, Albania – Albania’s government has unveiled a controversial 2027 fiscal package, proposing significant changes to value-added tax, dividend taxation, personal income …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ Prime Minister Edi Rama today reiterated his invitation to the protesting students to engage in dialogue, expressing the government’s readiness to consider their proposals and address the concerns they have raised. Rama shared footage on social media of the stone table set up outside the Prime …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ Despite being part of the “100 Villages” programme, the stone-paved streets of Arrëz and Sinicë, in Upper Devoll, remain largely off the tourist trail, attracting relatively few visitors. The villages are easily accessible, either by road from Bilisht towards Miras or via a hiking trail starting …
TIRANA, Nov 7 /ATA/ Redistributing the benefits of economic growth among citizens, lowering the cost of essential goods, increasing pensioners’ incomes and supporting households and businesses are among the key priorities of the 2027 Draft Budget and Fiscal Package. In an interview with the Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATSH), Minister of …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ Following positive European Commission assessment, Gogu says Albania will align anti-corruption laws with EU standards and sets out three regional priorities Justice Minister Toni Gogu attended the session entitled “The Judicial Dimension of the Fight Against Corruption” at the EU–Western Balkans Ministerial Forum on Justice and Home …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ The 2027 budget of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation prioritises increased financial support for pensioners, including doubling the monthly bonus, indexing pensions and preparing a new pension scheme. Speaking in a television interview, Minister of Economy and Innovation Delina Ibrahimaj said the ministry’s budget for …
TIRANA, Nov 6 /ATA/ President of the Constitutional Court Fiona Papajorgji attended a meeting of the Governing Bureau of the Association of Francophone Constitutional Courts (ACCF), where participants discussed the association’s activities in 2026 and its priorities for 2027–2028. The meeting was followed by a working session entitled “Electoral Legitimacy …
Albanian Justice Minister Toni Gogu met Montenegro’s Minister of Human and Minority Rights, Fatmir Gjeka, in Podgorica to discuss minority rights, representation and access to justice. Their talks also covered legislative changes and efforts to combat discrimination. Gogu stressed the importance of ensuring equal access to justice. He also highlighted …
Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi, inspected construction work on the 21-kilometre Tirana bypass. The project aims to ease traffic and divert vehicles away from the capital. Rama said work was progressing well and highlighted the road’s strategic role in connecting the Blue Corridor …
Albania coach Rolando Maran has announced his squad for the national team’s final two Nations League matches against Finland and Belarus. Albania will face Finland at Air Albania Stadium on 12 November before travelling to Hungary to play Belarus behind closed doors on 15 November. The main surprise is the …
Albania is planning new rules for the administration, maintenance and restoration of museums, cultural monuments and other heritage sites. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport has opened public consultation on amendments to the law on cultural heritage and museums. The draft aims to strengthen protection and sustainable management while …