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Government Moves to Shield Cabinet from Prosecution as Judiciary–Executive Clash Deepens

Proposed changes to the Criminal Procedure Code following the suspension of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku trigger opposition backlash, institutional tension, and renewed concerns over judicial independence and EU accession. Tirana Times, February 16 2026 – The Albanian government has launched an urgent legislative initiative to amend the Criminal Procedure …

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Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption?

This content is for members only. Visit the site and log in/register to read. The post Republic of Prosecutors or Republic of Corruption? appeared first on Tirana Times. Original post Here

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Albanian Ruling Party Proposes Law Granting Senior Officials Immunity

Proposed legal changes, which would protect ministers and other top officials from suspension by the courts, draw condemnation as a move to block anti-corruption investigations. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 16, 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’s AI Minister Diella Sued by Actor Over Image Use

Tirana Times, February 15, 2026 – Albania’s much publicized artificial intelligence “minister” Diella is now at the center of a legal and political controversy after actor Anila Bisha filed a lawsuit against the Albanian government, accusing state institutions of unlawfully using her image and voice. The case, filed at the Administrative …

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Shielding Power from Justice

How legislative moves to protect senior officials are putting Albania’s rule of law and EU path at risk By Zef Preçi When governments begin rewriting the rules to protect themselves from the courts, the problem is no longer legal. It is political. Albania’s latest debate over judicial measures against senior …

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Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect

An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here

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Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci

MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here

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Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’

Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here

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Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds

Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …

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Albania U-19 girls draw 2–2 with Montenegro

Albania U-19 girls drew 2–2 with Montenegro. The teams played the second-round opener of the European Championship. The match took place at the “House of Football.” Coach Daniela Kodra started Helshani in goal. She lined up Hysa, Nika, Kadiolli, and Bajramaj. She added Vata, Bushati, and Ago. She also selected …

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Albania to open path for production of naval vessels and military drones, defence minister says

TIRANA, April 10 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said Albania plans to develop domestic production of naval vessels and military drones. He spoke after a government meeting where the cabinet approved several defence-related decisions. The announcement marks a shift toward expanding the country’s military industry with foreign cooperation. In this …

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Government to monitor price rises and to subsidise vulnerable groups

TIRANA, April 10 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government is closely monitoring price movements and will step in to support vulnerable groups. She spoke after a cabinet meeting on Friday, where she presented recent decisions and assessed market developments. She said authorities are tracking prices in …

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Yzeiraj: Tax systems ready to connect to European network

Albania is preparing its tax declaration and registration systems. The goal is to link them with European systems. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj spoke to the media. He said the aim is for Albania to join the European tax registry. He explained, “Digital systems used by the General Tax Directorate …

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Lt. Gen. Kingji hosts Italian counterpart; Albania a reliable partner in international operations

TIRANA, April 10 – Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Arben Kingji held talks in Tirana with his Italian counterpart General Luciano Portolano. The visit focused on defence cooperation and NATO-related priorities. Both sides also reviewed regional security developments. Kingji presented recent developments within …

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“Between Form and Spirit”: The Artistic Legacy of Painter Kristi Baba

Galeria FAB opened its doors last night for the exhibition “Between Form and Spirit”, honoring the work of the late artist Kristi Baba. Baba passed away in 2021 at the age of 30 due to COVID-19. He was known for his graphic cycles and mixed techniques, blending the human figure …

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100 million euro “Gateway to the Alps” project in Shkodër aims to extend tourism season

TIRANA, April 10 – The government approved a major infrastructure project for Shkodër County, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Wednesday. He described the initiative, called “Gateway to the Alps”, as a key investment for regional development and tourism expansion. Karakaçi said the project carries a total value …

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Cultural tourism rises in first three months of the year, Shkodër Castle leads visitor rankings

TIRANA, April 10 – The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports said cultural tourism recorded strong growth in the first three months of 2026. Minister Blendi Gonxhja published data showing increased visitor numbers across archaeological parks, museums, and heritage sites. The figures point to higher interest from both domestic and …

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Local government reform should focus on service quality, not number of municipalities, minister says

TIRANA, April 10 – Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo said the territorial and administrative reform should prioritise service quality for citizens. He said the debate should not focus only on the number of municipalities. He spoke after a government meeting on Wednesday. Demo said the ministry works …

News
Pre-university education reform to focus on talents and extracurricular activities

TIRANA, April 10 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said the government has introduced new measures to strengthen extracurricular programmes in pre-university education. She said the reforms aim to extend learning beyond mandatory classroom hours and focus more on student development. She explained that the Ministry of Education has expanded after-school …

News

Albania U-19 girls draw 2–2 with Montenegro

Albania U-19 girls drew 2–2 with Montenegro. The teams played the second-round opener of the European Championship. The match took place at the “House of Football.” Coach Daniela Kodra started Helshani in goal. She lined up Hysa, Nika, Kadiolli, and Bajramaj. She added Vata, Bushati, and Ago. She also selected …

News

Albania to open path for production of naval vessels and military drones, defence minister says

TIRANA, April 10 – Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said Albania plans to develop domestic production of naval vessels and military drones. He spoke after a government meeting where the cabinet approved several defence-related decisions. The announcement marks a shift toward expanding the country’s military industry with foreign cooperation. In this …

News

Government to monitor price rises and to subsidise vulnerable groups

TIRANA, April 10 – Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said the government is closely monitoring price movements and will step in to support vulnerable groups. She spoke after a cabinet meeting on Friday, where she presented recent decisions and assessed market developments. She said authorities are tracking prices in …

News

Yzeiraj: Tax systems ready to connect to European network

Albania is preparing its tax declaration and registration systems. The goal is to link them with European systems. Deputy Finance Minister Endrit Yzeiraj spoke to the media. He said the aim is for Albania to join the European tax registry. He explained, “Digital systems used by the General Tax Directorate …

News

Lt. Gen. Kingji hosts Italian counterpart; Albania a reliable partner in international operations

TIRANA, April 10 – Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Arben Kingji held talks in Tirana with his Italian counterpart General Luciano Portolano. The visit focused on defence cooperation and NATO-related priorities. Both sides also reviewed regional security developments. Kingji presented recent developments within …

News

“Between Form and Spirit”: The Artistic Legacy of Painter Kristi Baba

Galeria FAB opened its doors last night for the exhibition “Between Form and Spirit”, honoring the work of the late artist Kristi Baba. Baba passed away in 2021 at the age of 30 due to COVID-19. He was known for his graphic cycles and mixed techniques, blending the human figure …

News

100 million euro “Gateway to the Alps” project in Shkodër aims to extend tourism season

TIRANA, April 10 – The government approved a major infrastructure project for Shkodër County, Infrastructure and Energy Minister Enea Karakaçi said on Wednesday. He described the initiative, called “Gateway to the Alps”, as a key investment for regional development and tourism expansion. Karakaçi said the project carries a total value …

News

Cultural tourism rises in first three months of the year, Shkodër Castle leads visitor rankings

TIRANA, April 10 – The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports said cultural tourism recorded strong growth in the first three months of 2026. Minister Blendi Gonxhja published data showing increased visitor numbers across archaeological parks, museums, and heritage sites. The figures point to higher interest from both domestic and …

News

Local government reform should focus on service quality, not number of municipalities, minister says

TIRANA, April 10 – Minister of State for Local Government Ervin Demo said the territorial and administrative reform should prioritise service quality for citizens. He said the debate should not focus only on the number of municipalities. He spoke after a government meeting on Wednesday. Demo said the ministry works …

News

Pre-university education reform to focus on talents and extracurricular activities

TIRANA, April 10 – Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro said the government has introduced new measures to strengthen extracurricular programmes in pre-university education. She said the reforms aim to extend learning beyond mandatory classroom hours and focus more on student development. She explained that the Ministry of Education has expanded after-school …