Parliament Blocks Arrest Bid for Former Deputy Prime Minister Balluku
Shielding Balluku Could Cost Albania More Than a Court Case. Tirana Times, March 09, 2026 – Albania’s ruling Socialist majority moved Monday to block the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, in a decision expected to be ratified by parliament this week and one that is rapidly becoming …
Albanian Ruling Party Refuses to Support Lifting of Former Deputy PM’s Immunity
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
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 9, 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
Do the Balkans really want EU membership?
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 …
Marx on the Beach
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 …
Week in Review: Friends, Foes and Chocolate Thieves
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
The Biblical Dog and our chances for full EU membership
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 …
Albania Must Not Mirror Serbia’s EU Rejection
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 …
Share Your Experience: Child Support Payments After Divorce in the Balkans, France
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
The War in Iran and Albania in a Fragmenting International Order
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 …
The Edi Rama met tourism operators in Vlora. He promoted major development and investment plans. First, he said Vlora transforms into a key tourism hub. He stressed that projects attract more visitors and investors. Moreover, he said Albania offers a safe environment for living and business. Therefore, he compared Vlora …
Edi Rama met tourism operators in Vlora. He focused on tourism growth and investment strategy.First, he said tourism demand continues to grow. He added that Albania can attract visitors beyond the summer season. Moreover, he said investment interest is increasing. Therefore, he urged operators to use this opportunity. In addition, …
TIRANA, April 14 – Prime Minister Edi Rama called on the Albanian diaspora to invest in their homeland during the Fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana. He introduced the “Mountains Package” as a policy tool for rural development and investment. At the opening of his address, he described the initiative as …
TIRANA, April 14 – The Fourth Diaspora Summit continued at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana. Officials highlighted the role of Albanians abroad in national development and European integration. Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi described the gathering as important for Albania’s EU path. At the opening of his address, he …
Edi Rama met tourism operators in Vlora. He focused on tourism growth and development. First, he said tourist arrivals increased in March compared to last year. He highlighted strong growth from Europe and the United States. Moreover, he shared detailed statistics. For example, visitors from Italy rose by 11%, while …
In the heart of the Pazari i Vjetër i Krujës, Dëshira Maja has worked for 48 years. She creates carpets, blankets, and bags with Albanian motifs. First, she continues a family tradition. She learned the craft from her mother. She still follows the same traditional methods today. Moreover, she works …
Elbasani defeated Partizani Tirana 3–0 in a key Superliga match. First, Elbasani started the game strongly. They stayed competitive in a tight first half. Moreover, the match turned intense in the second half. Elbasani received a red card when Emiljano Musta was sent off. However, Elbasani did not slow down. …
Albania women’s national football team completed preparations for their qualifier against Wales for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualification. First, the team finished training in good condition. The squad reported strong fitness and no injury problems. Moreover, the players focused fully on the upcoming match. The coaching staff emphasized …
TIRANA, April 14 – Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed the Fourth Diaspora Summit in Tirana and said the diaspora now participates directly in national decision-making. He linked the change to external voting rights and wider political inclusion. At the opening of the address, voting from abroad shifted from demand to …
TIRANA, April 14 – Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja held talks with an international team of architects and local experts on the proposed “Illiri Oceanarium – Museum of Water” project in Vlora. The initiative aims to develop a regional tourism, cultural, and research destination. The meeting brought together …