UN Office in Tirana Reacts to Student Protests, Calls for Restraint and Dialogue
The United Nations in Albania has reacted to the protests in Tirana, expressing concern over acts of violence and escalating tensions. In its statement, the UN called on all parties to refrain from violence and engage in dialogue, emphasizing the importance of respecting fundamental rights and ensuring proportionality in law …
Rama Reacts to Student Protests: No Force in the World Can Bring Albania Down Again
Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted on social media to the ongoing protests by university and high school students in Tirana. Rama published a message expressing his love for Albania, accompanying the post with a photograph of a fallen road sign. “I loved Albania unconditionally when it had been brought …
Student Protests: Albania’s Interreligious Council Calls for Dialogue, Peace and Listening to Young People
Albania’s religious leaders have issued a joint statement regarding the situation arising from student protests held across the country in recent days. In the statement, religious leaders called for peace, justice, responsibility and dialogue. The Interreligious Council stressed that young people must be heard and that institutions must provide responses …
Tirana Student Protests: 56 Arrested, 97 Others Face Criminal Proceedings
Tirana Police have issued an official statement regarding protesters detained during Thursday’s protests. According to police, 56 people have been arrested and criminal proceedings have been initiated against 97 others. In the statement, police said protesters had engaged in acts of violence, throwing stones, hard objects and pyrotechnic devices at …
Ilir Panda Takes Over as President of the Supreme Court as Sokol Sadushi Hands Over Office
Sokol Sadushi officially handed over his duties as President of the Supreme Court to Ilir Panda during a ceremony held this Friday in Tirana, in the Joint Chambers Hall. The ceremony was attended by Supreme Court judges, legal advisers, and members of the court’s administrative staff. The handover marks the …
127 Arrested in Tirana, Public Order Director: Communication Channels Identified Calling for Terrorist Acts
The Director of the Department for Public Order and Security, Dhimitraq Ziu, said in a public statement on Friday that 127 people have so far been arrested in Tirana, while another 244 have been placed under investigation without being detained. The senior police official also stated that the Cybercrime Investigation …
Interior Minister Demo: 156 injured in four days of protests, urges parents not to let children be used in violence
Interior Minister Ervin Demo has once again responded to the protests and violent incidents reported over the past four days. In a statement, Demo provided an overview of the situation, revealing that 156 people had been injured, including 97 police officers, 45 protesters and 12 bystanders. The minister paid particular …
QSUT: 11 injured during protest, including 3 minors, 3 police officers and 2 bystanders
Tirana University Hospital Centre (QSUT) has updated its figures on the condition of those injured during the protest, as of 6:45 p.m. According to the statement, a total of 11 people have sought medical assistance, including protesters, minors, police officers and bystanders. Full statement: Update / Injuries during the October …
Albania PM Defiant as Protests Spread to Provincial Cities
After the capital endured a third night of violent clashes between student-led protesters and police, Edi Rama vowed not to bow to the demands for him to quit. Original post Here
Week in Review: Bad Deals and Scandals
Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week takes a look at salacious tales making unpleasant headlines, political deals being mooted and insiders spilling secrets. Original post Here
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja has highlighted 3 young athletes who are challenging gender stereotypes in sport. Their dedication and daily sacrifices show that talent and success have no gender, he said. Gonxhja shared the stories of footballer Amarda Xhebrahimi, sport shooter Sindi Sula and wrestler Albina Drazhi …
The American Chamber of Commerce in Albania has urged the government to reconsider tax increases proposed in the 2027 fiscal package. It warned that the changes could raise business costs, discourage investment and weaken the country’s competitiveness. The chamber said higher dividend tax, standard value-added tax and some reduced rates, …
The 2027 draft budget allocates ALL 75.4 billion to infrastructure and energy, equivalent to 2.5% of gross domestic product. Finance Minister Petrit Malaj presented the figures at the Conference of Chairpersons. The funding will support transport, railway and port projects, as well as drinking water and sewage systems. Planned water …
The Transparency Board has announced new maximum prices for diesel and petrol. The limits took effect at 15:00 on October 29. Retailers may charge no more than ALL 212 per litre for diesel. The wholesale cap stands at ALL 200 per litre. For petrol, the retail ceiling is ALL 181 …
Kosova President Justina Shiroka Pula met United States chargé d’affaires Anu Prattipati in Prishtina. Prattipati congratulated the president on taking office. Shiroka Pula thanked her for the message. She reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening relations and the strategic partnership between Kosova and the United States. The president also stressed the …
The Albanian Parliament has approved amendments to the Law on the Bank of Albania with 84 votes in favor. The changes provide special legal protections for the governor, restricting the possibility of taking measures against the governor without parliamentary authorization. Under the amendments adopted during Thursday’s plenary session, the governor …
The Albanian Parliament’s plenary session resumed amid tensions after opposition MPs lit flares inside the chamber, blocked the parliamentary rostrum and blew whistles. Following the disruption, Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi decided to expel four opposition MPs from the plenary session: Xhelal Mziu, Bledi Himçi, Ivi Kaso and Bledion Nallbati. …
Students have begun marching from Parliament towards the Ministry of Education, continuing their protests for the 17th consecutive day as they demand the unconditional resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. A day earlier, students had announced a demonstration outside Parliament to coincide with the start of the plenary session. However, …
The Kosovo Security Force (KSF) has received 12 new Mercedes-Benz Unimog 5T military trucks, adding to its military fleet alongside eight Rheinmetall KX 8×8 trucks that arrived several days earlier. In a Facebook post, Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced that the total number of trucks in these two categories has …
The General Director of the State Police, Skender Hita, visited the Security Academy on Thursday, where around 1,000 candidates are continuing the selection process to join the State Police in General Patrol positions, undergoing medical, physical and psychological assessments. During his meeting with the candidates, Hita welcomed the high level …