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 …
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
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
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
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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
Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage
by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …
With European car demand fluctuating and margins under pressure, manufacturers of car parts in Albania are navigating a delicate shift from cost-based competitiveness to structural adaptation. Original post Here
TIRANA, April 12 – Tirana will host the fourth edition of the Diaspora Summit on April 13, bringing together Albanians from across the world for a two-day program focused on cooperation and development. Prime Minister Edi Rama said in his weekly podcast that the summit will open with a welcome …
TIRANA, April 12 – The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs unveiled the detailed agenda of the Fourth Diaspora Summit, set to take place in Tirana from April 13 to 15. The ministry said the event aims to strengthen ties with Albanians abroad and translate diaspora potential into concrete development …
At the Kakavija border crossing, heavy movement has continued throughout the day on both sides of the border due to the Orthodox Easter celebrations. According to the Border Police, during the last 24 hours, a total of 7,649 citizens were processed at Kakavija in both entry and exit directions — …
The Chairman of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, extended Easter wishes to Orthodox believers, describing it as the holy day of Christ’s resurrection and a moment for reflection on moral values. In his message, Berisha expressed hope that next Easter will be celebrated without the great hardship that has affected …
Prime Minister Edi Rama stated in his podcast “Flasim” that in the coming days Albania will receive a report from the European Union on public procurement, prepared by professional EU instruments. According to the head of government, the EU report is a reliable and high-quality instrument that has analyzed the …
Prime Minister Edi Rama continued today with the next episode of his podcast “Flasim.” During the podcast, he addressed the first topic, speaking about the 4th Diaspora Summit. Rama emphasized that the summit will begin tomorrow with the welcoming ceremony and, as he noted, it will once again bring together …
Sports activities organized during weekends in Gjirokastër are attracting increasing interest from children and young people. Championships in various sports are held at the city’s Sports Palace and are followed with enthusiasm. Training sessions in sports such as basketball, volleyball, and badminton are eagerly attended by children and youth as …
A bar in Pogradec has decided not to serve customers today and, instead of musicians, has had three women perform as a form of irony toward the government rule that will continue this year regarding live music being allowed only until midnight and a noise limit of 85 decibels. The …
On the 27th anniversary of the battle that would go down in history, in Koshare, former commander of the “Topi Unit” Battalion, Feriz Trezhnjeva, still vividly remembers his last meeting with the hero Agim Ramadani. Even after so many years, with strong emotions, he recounts the moment when Commander Katana …