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Man arrested for violating Kolonja’s socialist mayor candidate

Just few hours before the start of the voting process for new mayors, the Socialist Party (SP) candidate in Kolonja Municipality, Erion Isai was attacked by supporters of the “Together We Win” coalition, where the candidate of this force, Ethem Lumani, was also present. In connection with this event, Esmeraldo …

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Albania’s elections/ Problems with some electronic devices

Albania votes today for 61 mayors. In 3 important municipalities, not only identification, but also voting and vote counting, will be electronic, we are talking about the municipalities of Kamez, Vore and Elbasan. Elbasani and Kamza apply this process for the first time, while Vora has repeated experience, having done …

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Police releases information on polling stations

State Police has underlined this Sunday that no problems have been encountered by the officers regarding the condition of polling stations and electoral materials. In an announcement, the law enforcement underlined that employees who vacated the polling stations premises have been relocated to the temporary police stations approved by the …

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Premier’s first reaction as local polls kick off

Prime Minister Edi Rama has wished this Sunday all Albanian citizens to have a “beautiful” day as they head to polling stations to vote for the next Mayors and municipal councilors of their areas. Through a video published on social networks, the Head of Government shared a video depicting the …

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President Begaj’s message after voting in Tirana

President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj has voted this Sunday at the “Congress of Lushnja” 9-year secondary school, which is serving as a polling station. After performing the biometric voting process as he was accompanied by his wife, President Begaj underlined that today is important for democracy in Albania. Furthermore, …

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Over 530 polling stations not identifying voters electronically; CEC’s head

Head of the Central Elections Commission (CEC), Ilirjan Celibashi has informed Sunday that electronic identification of voters is not being carried out in at least 532 polling stations. In the first press conference related to the local elections, the Elections Commissioner stressed that there are 4469 polling stations that work …

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Albania elections, Berisha: This is “Spring of Change”

Berisha has considered Election Day the “Spring of Change”, while inviting Albanians to vote. “A call from the heart to all Albanian citizens. To speak today with their vote for local government. All those who were invited by the vicious enemy of the free vote to stay at home should …

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EU ambassador invites citizens to vote

Ambassador of the European Union in Albania, Christinane Hohmann, has chosen this Sunday Elbasan to observe close-up the local polls process for the election of this municipality’s Mayor. In her speech, Hohmann stated that so far the day is calm and asked the citizens to participate in the elections and …

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Fushe-Kruja, unidentified person throw opposition commissioner out of polling center

An incident has been recorded this Sunday in the voting center 1302/1 in the city of Fushë-Kruja. According to the police, unidentified persons entered this polling center and removed the opposition commissioner, Ilir Hyka from the premises. The Police Services, immediately after receiving the notification, went to the Voting Center …

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Albanians head to polls to elect mayors, municipal councils 

TIRANA, May 13, 2023 – Albania’s voters will head to polls Sunday to elect mayors and councils for the country’s 61 municipalities in the first competitive administrative elections in eight years. Two groupings have fielded the most mayoral candidates — the ruling Socialist Party of Albania (SPA) and the Together …

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Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News
Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News
Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News
Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News
Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News
Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News
Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News
After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News
“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …

News

Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches

Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here

News

Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam

Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here

News

Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries

On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …

News

Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says

When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here

News

Saudi Cultural Week to Bring a Taste of Arabia to Tirana

Tirana will soon open its doors to the sights, sounds, and flavors of Arabia. From 16 to 20 September 2025, the Palace of Congresses will transform into a vibrant stage for Saudi Cultural Week, a five-day celebration of art, heritage, and creativity hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture. The festival promises to be more …

News

Iranian Opposition Group’s Stay in Albania Turns Sour

Albania’s hosting of an exiled Iranian opposition group was never likely to be easy. Now it’s under criminal investigation. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Tricks and Surprises

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week sheds light on police brutality, hidden influence, strained bilateral relations and other turbulent issues across the region. Original post Here

News

Years After Discovery, Albania’s Roman-Era Mosaics Remain Hidden to Public View

The city of Durres on Albania’s Adriatic coast boasts a fine selection of Roman-era mosaics. But due to a lack of initiative by the local authorities, progress has been slow to preserve them and make them available for the public to view. Original post Here

News

After Major Wildfires, Albania Warned to Boost Preparedness Urgently

As Mediterranean fire seasons grow in intensity, Albania’s government faces calls to invest in firefighting and reforestation. Original post Here

News

“Challenges of Academic Integrity in Albanian Universities: An Interview with Migen Qiraxhi”

Interview with Migen Qiraxhi, Project Manager at Qëndresa Qytetare, July 17 In Albania, where higher education is often portrayed as a bridge to opportunity and European integration, the reality on the ground tells a darker story. Behind university gates, corruption, nepotism, and political interference have quietly hollowed out institutions that …