President Begaj consults Socialist Party and Social Democrats on 2027 local elections as Democrats decline invitation
Albanian President Bajram Begaj has begun consultations with parliamentary parties to set the date for the 2027 local elections. His first meeting was with Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla at the Brigades Palace at around 9:00 a.m. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party, led by Tom Doshi, were …
Albanian news agency and German news agency train journalists in digital verification
The Albanian Telegraphic Agency has held professional training with Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur on verifying digital content amid growing challenges from artificial intelligence. Led by Deutsche Presse-Agentur journalist Stefan Voss, the session brought together 11 agency journalists and translators. Participants examined methods for detecting manipulated images and videos and checking the …
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 …
The Benja Thermal Springs in Përmet continue to attract domestic and foreign tourists as autumn brings cooler temperatures to the Langarica Valley. Visitors come to enjoy the natural hot springs and the peaceful surroundings. The springs rank among Përmet’s best-known natural attractions. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared footage of the …
Albania ranks among the countries that have undergone the most dramatic tourism transformations in Europe, evolving from one of the continent’s most isolated nations into an increasingly popular destination for international visitors, Israeli media outlet Ynet News reports. Journalist Asaf Rosen highlights the country’s opening after the fall of communism, …
Eni Vasili, director-general of Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), has outlined the institution’s funding needs and technology priorities for 2027. Speaking to the Committee on Human Rights and Public Information, she highlighted digitalisation, infrastructure modernisation and rising operating costs. The state budget allocation for RTSH is projected at ALL 940 …
Eni Vasili, director-general of Albanian Radio and Television (RTSH), has identified modern television infrastructure as a key priority for the public broadcaster. Speaking to the Committee on Human Rights and Public Information, she stressed the need to bring its production studio into operation. RTSH currently produces most of its own …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj has presented a 2027 budget plan allocating ALL 10.5 billion to vocational education, entrepreneurship and innovation. The ministry’s overall budget stands at ALL 42 billion. Vocational education and employment services will receive ALL 8.9 billion. Investment of ALL 1.22 billion will support vocational schools, …
Gjirokastër Castle welcomed 300,000 domestic and foreign visitors between January and October 2026. Visitor numbers rose by 6.5% compared with the same period in 2025. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja shared the latest figures and reported a 10.5% increase in revenue over the same period last year. “Between …
Valbona Valley remains one of Albania’s most treasured mountain destinations, offering a unique experience for visitors seeking tranquillity, unspoilt nature and breathtaking scenery. During autumn, vibrant seasonal colours make the valley even more captivating, turning it into a natural postcard of the Albanian Alps. Prime Minister Edi Rama today shared …
Eni Vasili, director-general of Albanian Radio and Television, has outlined RTSH’s priorities for services aimed at Albanians abroad and foreign-language audiences in 2027. She presented them during a hearing with the Committee on Civic Initiatives as part of discussions on the 2027 budget. The priorities include establishing an international correspondent …
Restoration teams are improving the infrastructure at Rozafa Castle in Shkodër, one of the country’s most important historical and cultural monuments. Work began around two months ago. Crews have completed the Castle Museum’s façade and are now repairing the cobblestone paving in an inner courtyard. “We are currently working on …
Albania’s annual inflation rate reached 3.4% in October 2026, up from 2.3% in the same month last year. Consumer prices also rose by 0.5% compared with September, according to the Institute of Statistics (INSTAT). Food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation, adding 1.36 percentage points. Transport …