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Rama’s Collision With Justice Shatters Illusions About Albania’s Democracy

The prime minister’s moves to shield his deputy from arrest feel like the beginning of the end of an era for Albanians’ hopes that the powerful would finally be held accountable. Original post Here

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Albania Slips Into Electoral Autocracy

V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …

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Middle East Crisis: Balkan Countries Act to Ease Spike in Oil Prices

As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here

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Timeline: Albania’s High-Level Corruption Cases Raise Political Temperature

The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 23, 2026

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Albania Opposition Protest Turns Violent

Democratic Party leader and former President Sali Berisha injured during clashes. Tirana Times, March 22, 2026 — Albania’s latest national opposition protest in Tirana, which ended in violent clashes between protesters and police, exposed not only rising anger against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government but also a broader crisis of …

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US Targets Iran Linked Cyber Network as Albania Emerges as Key Victim

Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – The United States has moved to dismantle a cyber network linked to Iran’s intelligence apparatus, seizing four domains used for hacking operations, disinformation campaigns and threats, in a case that places Albania at the center of a broader geopolitical confrontation. The U.S. Department of …

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Albania Draws a Red Line on Iran

Parliament’s decision to label Tehran a state sponsor of terrorism formalizes a break years in the making and reflects a broad Albanian consensus that Iran has become a direct security threat Tirana Times, March 18, 2026 – Albania has taken one of its toughest political steps yet against Iran, with …

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Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans

TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …

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Albanian MPs Adopt Resolution Declaring Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’

Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here

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Week in Review: High Ambitions and Missed Opportunities

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at future goals as well as lost opportunities from the past. Original post Here

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Diaspora Summit seen as key cooperation platform, EU membership remains strategic priority for Albania

TIRANA, April 10 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said the Fourth Diaspora Summit represents an important national event aimed at strengthening ties between Albanian institutions and citizens living abroad. He spoke during a media conference ahead of the gathering. He said the main objective is to turn the summit into …

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Finance minister urges wage transparency and sector formalisation in tourism meeting in Berat

TIRANA, April 10 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met tourism businesses in Berat to discuss sector challenges and tax compliance. He was joined by Tax Administration Director General Ilir Binaj. The meeting focused on cooperation with tax authorities and progress in implementing the operational plan for the region. During the …

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PM Rama tells pensioners pensions could rise fivefold by 2030 as economy stabilises

TIRANA, April 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met pensioners in Tirana’s Unit 2 to discuss economic growth, social policies, and pension reform. He said the government will continue support through annual bonuses and gradual pension increases across categories. During the discussion, Rama said the government has entered a new …

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“€100 Million to Connect the Mountains with the Sea”: Government Approves “Gateway to the Alps” Project for Shkodër

The Albanian government has approved a new project for the Shkodër region called “Gateway to the Alps.” Through this project, €100 million in infrastructure investments are planned across the entire region, aiming to give a significant boost to tourism development, from the Alps all the way to the coast of …

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36 New Recruits from Non-Majority Communities Join the Kosovo Security Force

The Kosovo Security Force has announced that, in a solemn ceremony held today at the “Skënderbeu” barracks in Ferizaj, 36 recruits from non-majority communities were certified and have officially joined the force as its soldiers. During the ceremony, it was stated that the recruits came from Turkish, Ashkali, Bosniak, Roma, …

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Minister of Justice: The System Must Not Punish Twice for the Same Offense

The Constitutional Court and the National Chamber of Advocates held a conference where one of the fundamental principles of criminal law was discussed — the prohibition of double trial or punishment for the same criminal offense. In essence, this principle guarantees that a person cannot be prosecuted or punished more …

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Government Approves Rules for the Organization of Gambling Activities

The Council of Ministers approved this Friday the rules for the organization and functioning of the Project Support Council, a new structure established under the Gambling Supervision Authority. The decision defines in detail the procedures for establishing, organizing, and operating this council, which will play a key role in supporting …

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Interview of the Ambassador of the European Union to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, for Euronews

Journalist: I’m in the TV studio with the Ambassador of the European Union in our country, Mr. Silvio Gonzato. Z. Ambasador, thank you for joining us. I would like to start with a question that every Albanian asks, although we hear at the news every day, and political parties give …

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“Pensions Will Increase Every January,” PM Rama: Card for Basic Goods if Prices Rise

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting on Friday with pensioners from Unit No. 2. Rama stated that the real increase in pensions began in January and will continue progressively every January. “At last, the moment has come when the economy has made this possible; starting from January, you are …

News

Week in Review: High Ambitions and Missed Opportunities

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at future goals as well as lost opportunities from the past. Original post Here

News

Diaspora Summit seen as key cooperation platform, EU membership remains strategic priority for Albania

TIRANA, April 10 – Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha said the Fourth Diaspora Summit represents an important national event aimed at strengthening ties between Albanian institutions and citizens living abroad. He spoke during a media conference ahead of the gathering. He said the main objective is to turn the summit into …

News

Finance minister urges wage transparency and sector formalisation in tourism meeting in Berat

TIRANA, April 10 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj met tourism businesses in Berat to discuss sector challenges and tax compliance. He was joined by Tax Administration Director General Ilir Binaj. The meeting focused on cooperation with tax authorities and progress in implementing the operational plan for the region. During the …

News

PM Rama tells pensioners pensions could rise fivefold by 2030 as economy stabilises

TIRANA, April 10 – Prime Minister Edi Rama met pensioners in Tirana’s Unit 2 to discuss economic growth, social policies, and pension reform. He said the government will continue support through annual bonuses and gradual pension increases across categories. During the discussion, Rama said the government has entered a new …

News

“€100 Million to Connect the Mountains with the Sea”: Government Approves “Gateway to the Alps” Project for Shkodër

The Albanian government has approved a new project for the Shkodër region called “Gateway to the Alps.” Through this project, €100 million in infrastructure investments are planned across the entire region, aiming to give a significant boost to tourism development, from the Alps all the way to the coast of …

News

36 New Recruits from Non-Majority Communities Join the Kosovo Security Force

The Kosovo Security Force has announced that, in a solemn ceremony held today at the “Skënderbeu” barracks in Ferizaj, 36 recruits from non-majority communities were certified and have officially joined the force as its soldiers. During the ceremony, it was stated that the recruits came from Turkish, Ashkali, Bosniak, Roma, …

News

Minister of Justice: The System Must Not Punish Twice for the Same Offense

The Constitutional Court and the National Chamber of Advocates held a conference where one of the fundamental principles of criminal law was discussed — the prohibition of double trial or punishment for the same criminal offense. In essence, this principle guarantees that a person cannot be prosecuted or punished more …

News

Government Approves Rules for the Organization of Gambling Activities

The Council of Ministers approved this Friday the rules for the organization and functioning of the Project Support Council, a new structure established under the Gambling Supervision Authority. The decision defines in detail the procedures for establishing, organizing, and operating this council, which will play a key role in supporting …

News

Interview of the Ambassador of the European Union to Albania, Silvio Gonzato, for Euronews

Journalist: I’m in the TV studio with the Ambassador of the European Union in our country, Mr. Silvio Gonzato. Z. Ambasador, thank you for joining us. I would like to start with a question that every Albanian asks, although we hear at the news every day, and political parties give …

News

“Pensions Will Increase Every January,” PM Rama: Card for Basic Goods if Prices Rise

Prime Minister Edi Rama held a meeting on Friday with pensioners from Unit No. 2. Rama stated that the real increase in pensions began in January and will continue progressively every January. “At last, the moment has come when the economy has made this possible; starting from January, you are …