Albanian Mayor’s Dismissal Seemingly Ends Rising Star’s Career
Erion Veliaj’s dismissal as Tirana mayor appears to have terminated the career of a man once seen as a possible successor to Edi Rama. Original post Here
Tirana Council Dismisses Mayor Erion Veliaj
Tirana, September 23, 2025 , Tirana Times– The extraordinary dismissal of Tirana’s mayor, Erion Veliaj, by the Municipal Council marks one of the most dramatic political upheavals in Albania’s recent history. Once celebrated as the rising star of the Socialist Party and widely perceived as a potential successor to Prime …
Building integrity and accountability in Albanian public universities: practical lessons from the United States
Aaron Savoy-Pasha | Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) Albanian higher education faces documented integrity risks, particularly in grading, favoritism, and political influence. A 2024 peer-reviewed study highlights how these pressures shape assessment and weaken trust in degrees (Shahini, Zhllima, and Imami, 2024). Transparency International’s most recent Corruption Perceptions Index …
Veliaj’s Fall: Politics or Justice?
The detention and attempted dismissal of Tirana’s mayor raises fresh doubts over Albania’s rule of law and political maneuvering. Albania, Tirana Times, September 22,2025. The Socialist-controlled Tirana Municipal Council is expected to vote on Tuesday to dismiss Erion Veliaj from his post as mayor, formalizing a political downfall that has …
A modern writer of Saudi Arabian literature
The Critical Case of Patient K. by Aziz Muhamed By Jerina Zaloshnja “Let’s take a family photo,” suggested the prominent Saudi Arabian writer Yusuf ElMuhaimid, author of two of the latest books published in Arabic by Tirana Times (“A Man Chased by Rats” and “The Journey of the Najdi Boy”). …
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: September 22, 2025
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Italian’s Tourist Resort Plan Trumps Triple Protection over Albanian Bay
Albania’s government has bestowed ‘strategic investor’ status to an Italian hotelier who wants to build a tourist resort in a nature reserve in southern Albania, on land rich in cultural heritage and home to a Cold War-era military base. Original post Here
Albania’s Fourth Rama Government Approved Without Debate
TIRANA, Albania, Tirana Times, September 18,2025 — In an unprecedented scene in Albania’s 35 years of political pluralism, Parliament on Thursday approved Prime Minister Edi Rama’s new cabinet and four-year governing program within minutes and without a single debate. The session, marked by chaos, a pre-recorded appearance from a virtual …
Cancel Parliament
What happened in Albania’s Parliament last week was more than a political skirmish. It was an assault on the very essence of parliamentarism. In a scene without precedent in the country’s 35 years of political pluralism — and arguably rare even in the wider history of parliamentary life — the …
Cleaning Up: Albania Plans New Waste Law After Incinerator Scandals
After a series of failed waste incineration projects, a new draft law foresees the creation of a powerful state waste agency that will fine polluters – but the potential cost worries some. Original post Here
The Council of Ministers approved expropriations for public interest linked to key infrastructure projects. Elbasan-Lekaj Road, Corridor 8, Lot I (Phases I-III): Owners will receive full compensation of 46,241,507.4 lekë. The expropriation goes to the Albanian Road Authority. “Marin Beçikemi” Road Reconstruction, Shkodër: The property owner receives 859,611 lekë. The …
TIRANA, April 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama held a discussion with young students on Albania’s EU accession process, highlighting its importance for youth. Rama said EU membership is not a mere political formality. It represents a deep transformation of the country’s status and opportunities for citizens. “With EU membership, …
TIRANA, April 2 – State Minister for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni spoke with young students about Albania’s EU accession negotiations, emphasizing their role in the process. Pirdeni described European integration as a difficult but highly rewarding journey, with vital impact on the country’s future. “Integration is not easy, …
TIRANA, April 2 – The Military Weather Service reported that Albania will experience unstable atmospheric conditions on Thursday. Clouds will range from moderate to dense, with short sunny intervals in the Western Lowlands after midday. Light rain will appear across much of the country from the early hours. Isolated short …
TIRANA, April 2 – Kosova’s main political parties have not taken steps toward a possible agreement to elect a new president, despite a one-month deadline set by the Constitutional Court. The court gave lawmakers 34 days to choose the country’s next president, warning that failure would trigger early elections within …
TIRANA, April 2 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania does not face conditions of a slowing integration process. During a discussion with young students on the country’s European Union accession negotiations, he stressed that much of the information circulating in media reports is often inaccurate and misleads the public. …
The Council of Ministers approved changes to the National Hospital Planning Committee. The committee advises the Health Minister on hospital services across Albania. It now has 9 members: cardiologists, surgeons, neonatologists, radiologists, gynecologists, emergency doctors, and an economist. The committee analyzes hospital coverage, assesses capacity and needs, proposes the National …
TIRANA, April 2 – At the discussion held today at the “Liria” [Freedom] hall on the Tirana State University campus, Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke with students about Albania’s EU accession progress. A student asked him about the fight against corruption. Rama said corruption today exists more in perception than …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu presented a new approach to handling minors in conflict with the law, focusing on restorative justice as an alternative to traditional punishment. Speaking to social science students, Gogu emphasized that a criminal act is not just a law violation—it causes real harm to people and the …
The Council of Ministers approved 203 million lek to support religious communities this year. Muslim Community of Albania: 57.3 million lek Autocephalous Orthodox Church: 48.6 million lek Catholic Church: 48.6 million lek Bektashi World Headquarters: 48.5 million lek Funds will be distributed in April 2026. The Ministry of Finance and …