E-Government in the Balkans Still a Work in Progress: BIRN Report
A new BIRN report says a lack of funds and political will means that e-government services and open data provision in the Balkans remain very limited. Original post Here
Analysis: Imprisonment of opposition MP for making public accusations sets stage for new political reality in Albania
TIRANA, Oct. 1, 2024 – The recent conviction and imprisonment of Ervin Salianji, a prominent opposition MP in Albania, has ignited intense debates about the independence of the country’s judiciary and its implications for democracy as well as radicalized opposition action in parliament and on the streets. Salianji, a member …
Albania and North Macedonia’s EU ‘Decoupling’ Causes Dismay in Skopje
Reports that the EU plans to push ahead with Albania’s EU accession talks, independently of North Macedonia, puts renewed scrutiny on Tirana’s true reform readiness, while risking deepening a sense of alienation in Skopje. Original post Here
Omnipotence for the hour
This is the story of a young man who one day was granted unlimited power for one single hour. How or why this happened is not important. What’s important is that it did happen. Now, this young man happens to live in Albania, or Tirana to be exact. Lucky coincidence, …
Albania Police Officers Feel Starved of Choice Over Food Coupons
After the government changed the way it compensates police officers for overtime, swapping cash for coupons, some complain that they are effectively forced to spend them in a single supermarket chain. Original post Here
Is appointed the prosecutor who will execute the decision for Salianji
The lot is cast in the Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana, where the prosecutor Elona Alvora has been assigned to execute the decision of the General Court of Appeal for the 1-year prison sentence of the democratic deputy Ervin Salianji. The order is expected to be delivered to the police, while …
Salianji in prison, is revealed the document for the Democratic Party deputy
The request that the prosecutor’s office of the Prosecutor’s Office of Tirana, Elona Alvora, has sent to the Assembly and the police for the execution of the decision for the democratic deputy, Ervin Salianji, is clarified, after the Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the First Instance for the …
“I am a political prisoner”, Salianji before arrest: I will continue the denunciations
Democratic MP, Ervin Salianji, the last conference with journalists at the headquarters of the Democratic Party, awaiting his arrest, after the appeal upheld the sentence of 1 year in prison, for the “Babale” case. Salianji declared that he is a political convict and that he will go to prison as …
Salianji: Ready to go to jail
The Democratic MP, Ervin Salianji held the last conference with journalists at the headquarters of the Democratic Party, awaiting his arrest, after the Appeal upheld the sentence of 1 year in prison, for the “Babale” case. Salianji stated that since Thursday, September 26, when Apeli received the decision, he communicated …
New EU Line-Up, But No Quick Fix for Balkan Enlargement Woes
Supporters of EU enlargement to the Balkans may take heart from Ursula von der Leyen’s proposed new line-up at the European Commission, but it will take more than a change at the top to reinvigorate the stalled accession process. Original post Here
TIRANA, July 22 – More than 3,000 citizens received free legal aid during the first six months of the year, according to figures presented by the Ministry of Justice. Justice Minister Toni Gogu said the ministry expanded access to legal aid services across Albania and focused on services directly linked …
TIRANA, July 22 – Foreign non-resident tourists have started paying unified healthcare service fees at summer health centers since July 1, according to the Operator of Health Care Services. Director Jeta Deda said the primary healthcare system has published and displayed the applicable fees at these centers. The charges cover …
TIRANA, July 22 – Authorities have restored normal operations after heavy rainfall and strong winds affected several areas of Albania on Tuesday evening. The storm caused temporary disruptions to electricity supply, water services and some infrastructure. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy said that responsible institutions remained on the ground …
TIRANA, July 22 – Albania marks the 105th anniversary of the first technical school in the country. American teachers founded the institution on July 22, 1921. The school offered professional training in different fields. Harry Fultz, a mechanics teacher, served as director of the American Technical School. He introduced a …
TIRANA, July 22 – Albanian Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi met representatives of the United States Congress and the POPVOX Foundation, a U.S.-based civic technology organization. The meeting took place during a regional workshop on parliamentary modernization through artificial intelligence, hosted by Albanian Parliament. Representatives from the parliaments of Kosova, North …
TIRANA, July 22 – Albania will send a platoon from its Armed Forces to a multinational brigade based in Romania. The decision follows a government approval of a draft decision on the deployment, Defence Minister Ermal Nufi said after the Council of Ministers meeting. Nufi said the move is part …
The cry of protesters that ‘Albania is not for sale’ is misinterpreted when it is portrayed as a rejection of all investment. Its proper interpretation is procedural: any transfer of common assets must take place in full transparency – with prices determined through competition, permits made public, and beneficiaries clearly …
TIRANA, July 22 – Local storms hit several areas of Albania overnight, causing fallen trees and minor material damage, according to reports. Coastal areas, including Saranda, Himara and Vlora, experienced strong winds and storms during the night, following earlier weather forecasts. In Saranda, several people reportedly suffered injuries after a …
TIRANA, July 22 – Albania has started the process of inventorying mountain trails to identify existing routes and map new itineraries, with work also underway in the Shkodër region. Tourism guide Kastriot Faci said the initiative aims to create a complete map of mountain trails across the country. He explained …
Powerful storm engulfs Albania after battering Kosovo and North Macedonia. The storms will affect almost the entire country. Central and southeastern regions face the highest risk, but severe weather may develop anywhere. Storm cells will form quickly and move over isolated areas. They may bring very heavy rain and powerful …