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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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
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 …
Corridor VIII – the Forgotten Lifeline of the Balkans
An in-depth investigation into the EU-backed trans-Balkan transport project that remains stalled decades after its launch. Over two decades ago, European planners and Balkan leaders laid out the idea off Corridor VIII, a transport route that would traverse and link the difficult-to-navigate terrains of Albania, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. Its …
Italy Queried Over Fate of 16 ‘Missing’ Migrants Outsourced to Albania
Opposition MP demands answers after a visit to the Italian-run Repatriation and Detention Centre in Albania revealed that 16 out of 41 migrants sent there two weeks ago had gone. Original post Here
Surveillance and Censorship Worsening in Western Balkans: BIRN Report
New report shows governments in the region increasingly use technology to suppress dissent, filter content, restrict access to digital platforms and carry out mass and targeted surveillance. Original post Here
In a depopulating Albania, why is the PM campaigning on a promise to make it easier for young people to leave?
If Rama wants to be the prime minister who ushers Albania into the European Union, he must first be the leader who makes Albania worth staying in. It means building a country where the EU passport is a gateway — not an escape route. Because freedom is not just the …
Armand Duka attended the Electoral Assembly of the Italian Football Federation in Italy. He represented UEFA and delivered a formal address during the proceedings. First, Duka expressed UEFA’s support for Italian football. Then, he praised the role of FIGC in European football and emphasized the importance of cooperation between federations. …
The Ethnographic Museum of Berat has unveiled two of the earliest archaeological objects ever discovered within the grounds of Berat Castle: a stone axe and a stone hammer dating back to the Early Bronze Age. Archaeologist Hëna Spahiu discovered the artifacts during excavations in the 1970s. However, the museum kept …
Today, Prime Minister Edi Rama attended presentations by the five finalist teams in the international competition for the new Aleksandër Moisiu University campus in Durrës. Earlier, the competition attracted 41 Albanian and international teams. After a rigorous selection process, organizers chose five finalists to present their projects. The new campus …
The Mountain Package continues to inspire members of the Albanian diaspora to invest in their homeland. Recently, Socialist Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Taulant Balla shared a success story on social media that highlights this growing trend. Balla met with Albanian-Americans Saimir and Jonida Gjoka, who plan to launch an ambitious …
Prime Minister Edi Rama attended the presentation of the five finalist projects for the new Aleksandër Moisiu University campus in Durrës. The project aims to transform higher education and create a modern academic center that meets contemporary standards. During the event, Rama said the new campus will bring together education, …
Albania continues to attract international attention as one of the Mediterranean’s most appealing tourist destinations. Recently, Italian travel outlet The Wom Travel described the country as the “Caribbean of the Balkans,” highlighting its crystal-clear waters, unspoiled nature, and unique mix of beaches, mountains, and historic towns. According to the publication, …
The Football Association of Albania (FSHF) discussed a proposal to change the structure of the “Abissnet Superiore” and lower divisions during a consultation meeting with club representatives. First, the Competitions Department and the Leagues and Competitions Committee held talks with clubs from both the Superliga and the First Division. The …
Tourism in Albania continues to grow, and cultural heritage sites are attracting increasing international attention. As a result, Gjirokastër Castle has reached a major milestone this year. Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that the castle welcomed its 100,000th visitor in 2026. This achievement highlights the strong rise in foreign tourist …
Tourism in Albania continues to grow, and Berat has recorded strong visitor numbers in early 2026. As a result, the city has confirmed its status as one of the country’s most popular destinations. Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo announced that around 550,000 visitors traveled to Berat between …
The State Police of Albania strengthened its cooperation with Spain in the fight against international crime. The Director General of the State Police State Police of Albania met with the Spanish ambassador Ventura at the Directorate General of State Police in Tirana. First, both sides praised the strong and strategic …