Heavy Rains Cause Evacuations and Discontent in Albania
Dramatic situation reported in several towns, while some locals complain of being abandoned. Original post Here
Albania Under Water: A Return to a Hobbesian State of Nature
TIRANA TIMES, December 6, 2025 – Albania is once again under water. Torrential rains over the past days have triggered massive flooding across almost the entire country, exposing not only the fragility of urban infrastructure but, more fundamentally, the long-term failure of governance. From the northern plains to the southern …
Europe Tightens the Fight Against Corruption, Albania at a Crossroad
By Zef Preçi, Executive Director of ACER As Albania presents itself as closer than ever to the European Union, a troubling contradiction has emerged in its domestic legal and political debate. While the EU is moving decisively toward tougher and more harmonized criminal rules against corruption, Albania is simultaneously discussing …
Housing Boom Prices Out Albanians
Allegations of money laundering in construction and claims of informal power networks, including the case of Ergys Agasi, fuel concerns over a distorted housing market Tirana Times, TIRANA, 05 January 2026 – For many middle income families in Tirana, buying an apartment has shifted from a realistic life goal to …
In Albania, Women Often Quit Local Councils to Make Way for Men
Democracy and the rights of women are being undermined in Albania by the practice of filling electoral candidate lists with women, only to have them resign en masse once the results are in and cede their seats to men. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: January 5, 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
Balkan States Give Divided Reactions to US Strike on Venezuela
Albania and Kosovo applauded the Trump administration’s military operation against Venezuela’s regime and the ousting of Nicolas Maduro, while other states in the region initially remained silent or called for calm and restraint. Original post Here
Roaming Like at Home and the Western Balkans
By Genc Pollo Tirana, 02 January 2026 – Today’s decision by the European Union to grant “roaming like at home” to Ukraine and Moldova deserves praise. It is a practical citizen-centered step that immediately lowers costs improves connectivity and makes Europe tangible in everyday life. Yet the non inclusion of …
Albania in the EU Fast Lane – Accelerating Without Democratising?
Tirana’s EU accession process is running in top gear – but worryingly, there’s no sign this is being matched with a democratic deepening at home. Original post Here
Albania 2026: Power Under Investigation
As Albania enters 2026, the country stands at a political and institutional crossroads shaped decisively by the shocks of 2025. What initially appeared to be a year of electoral routine and managed stability evolved instead into the most serious confrontation between executive power and the justice system since the launch …
TIRANA, April 8 – The Albanian Investment Corporation signed cooperation agreements with public partners to launch the “Independent Institutions Complex” project. The initiative aims to modernise administrative infrastructure and improve public services. At the ceremony, director Elira Kokona described the project as a key step toward urban and institutional change. …
TIRANA, April 8 – Saranda municipality has started work to address issues identified during the previous tourist season. A dedicated task force is now monitoring conditions on the ground. At the same time, officials have included all key concerns in the 2026 budget. As a result, current investments focus on …
TIRANA, April 8 – Albania has put its 2026 agricultural support scheme into force. Authorities will publish detailed guidelines soon. These will set criteria and open applications for farmers. The programme is backed by a €52m fund. It introduces key changes to widen access and increase support in priority sectors. …
TIRANA, April 8 – Albania secured a 35 million euro soft loan to upgrade its electricity network in the north. The Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration approved the funding agreement today with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A. Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Edona Bilali, said the …
TIRANA, April 8 – Tirana will host the IV Diaspora Summit from 14 to 16 April. The event gathers Albanians from around the world who live and work abroad while keeping strong ties to their roots. The summit opens on Monday evening, 13 April, at 18:00 with a welcome ceremony …
TIRANA, April 8 – The Transparency Board set new fuel prices today following fluctuations on the Mediterranean Platts market. Retail diesel standard SSH EN 590 dropped by 4 Lek per litre, from 224 Lek to 220 Lek. Wholesale diesel will not exceed 208 Lek per litre. Gasoline prices remain unchanged. …
TIRANA, April 8 – The ombudsman of the Republic of Albania, Endrit Shabani, met in Skopje with his counterpart from North Macedonia, Faton Selami. Kosovo ombudsman Naim Qelaj also attended. They discussed Albanian student protests and the guarantee of using Albanian in higher education. Shabani, also president of the Mediterranean …
The Transparency Board announced on Wednesday a reduction in the price of diesel and its by-products. According to the decision, the retail price of gasoil (diesel) under the SSH EN 590 standard will be no more than 220 lek per liter, while the wholesale price will be no more than …
The newly appointed Director General of the State Police, Skënder Hita, held his first meeting with international partners, specifically a delegation from the European Serious and Organised Crime Centre (ESOCC) at Europol. According to a press release, the delegation was led by Andy Kraag, Head of the Centre for Combating …
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania has expressed its position regarding the recent agreement on a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a positive step toward reducing tensions. In an official statement, Albanian diplomacy emphasized that it has consistently supported efforts aimed …