Divided Albanian Democrats Row over Appointment of Election Officials
Concerns are growing over the credibility of Albania’s May local elections due to an ongoing court battle over control of the opposition Democrats. Original post Here
Old Albanian Woman Keeps Ancient Dress-Making Tradition Alive
A 70-year-old woman from northern Albania is one the few women still making the ancestral dress called the Xhubleta – which UNESCO recently added to its Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Original post Here
Turkish Medical Leader Sentenced for Terror Propaganda Exits Prison
Turkish Medical Association leader and senior human rights activist – jailed for two years and eight months for terrorist propaganda – walks free on account of time already served. Original post Here
HRW Report: Southeast, Central Europe Backsliding on Human Rights
Annual report shows that human rights record of several Southeast and Central European countries deteriorated, with autocratic rulers cracking down on critics, journalists and LGBT groups amid increase in violence against women and high political tensions. Original post Here
Gay Couple in Albania Eyes Strasbourg in Battle over Parental Rights
A gay couple in Albania girds for a long legal fight for the right to register both women as parents of their young twins. Original post Here
Albania Court Detains Finance Ministry Officials for Abuse of Office
Three top Albanian Finance Ministry officials face bribery and abuse of office charges for the double compensation of the same private property. Original post Here
Albania in 2023: Local Elections and the Fate of the Opposition
As Albania confronts the tough task of accession talks with the European Union, there are concerns about how the state of the opposition Democrats is affecting the state of Albanian democracy. Original post Here
Albania Police Probe Illegal CCTVs Erected in Northern City
Police are trying to work out who put up illegal surveillance cameras in the northern city of Shkoder, with the finger of suspicion pointing towards local crime gangs Original post Here
UK Minister’s Outburst on Albanian Migrants Outrages Tirana
The British ambassador in Albania on Monday was handed a protest note from the Albanian Foreign Ministry over the statement a British Minister made recently about illegal Albanian migrants in the UK. Original post Here
PM’s Order to Sing National Anthem in Schools Divides Albanians
PM Edi Rama’s decision that the national anthem be sung in all state schools at least once a week has not been universally welcomed, with some calling it a nationalist stunt. Original post Here
Ahead of a vote in parliament on Thursday, the ruling Socialists reject a prosecution request to support lifting the immunity of dismissed former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – While all eyes are on the Iran war, subtle but important changes are taking place with respect to the Balkans. I think the two most important are these: The Trump Administration is abandoning state-building and instead wants local people to make the basic …
By Zef Preci Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – Two centuries ago, Karl Marx offered a blunt description of how capitalism is sometimes born and consolidated: through what he called “primitive accumulation,” a historical process—often violent—by which people are separated from their land and productive assets, while wealth is concentrated …
From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here
by Genc Pollo Let’s start with the dog. “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly,” says the Old Testament (Proverbs 26:11), offering a blunt metaphor for stupidity and the stubborn repetition of mistakes. That proverbial dog may be the right analogy for Prime Minister Edi …
By Augustin Palokaj Tirana Times, March 03 2026 – EU enlargement does not lack ideas; it lacks political will. That is why the recent joint opinion piece by Albania’s Prime Minister Edi Rama and Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vučić, published in the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, is troubling not so …
Do you live in the Balkans or France, and have you been awarded child support payments after divorce? Was the process easy – and did you receive the money as the court ordered? Original post Here
by Dr. Arben Ramkaj Tirana Times, February 28 2026 – At the very moment when diplomacy appeared to be moving toward a fragile agreement, the United States and Israel launched a unilateral strike against Iran, shifting the region from tense negotiations to open confrontation. The targets included strategic infrastructure and …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here