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Albanian opposition demands caretaker government, calls for civil disobedience in disruptive mass protest

TIRANA, Oct. 8, 2024 – In one of the most hard-line demonstrations in recent years, Albania’s opposition Democratic Party led a protest in Tirana on Monday night, calling for a caretaker transitional government and civil disobedience against the government. The protest, which drew thousands of supporters, was set up in …

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Spurned by Stakeholders, Albanian Govt’s Anti-Graft Initiative Unravels

In Albania, a new commission ostensibly created to spur reform and tackle corruption has been rebuffed by the justice system and civil society and criticised by the EU. Original post Here

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Albanian Anti-Govt Protesters Throw Molotov Cocktails, Clash with Police

Opposition supporters demonstrating in Tirana about the jailing of an MP threw incendiary devices at the prime minister’s office and the ruling Socialist Party headquarters and clashed with police outside parliament. Original post Here

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Will any other Western Balkans country join the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) on the same day as Montenegro?

by Marija Stojanović Journalist at European Western Balkans   According to the recent announcement by Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), Montenegro is poised to become the first country in the Western Balkans to join the Single Euro Payments Area …

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How Much Has Organised Crime Penetrated Albania’s Police?

A number of high-ranking police officers have been arrested, charged or sentenced for involvement in organised crime networks after an underworld phone app was hacked. BIRN examines what is known about the suspects so far. Original post Here

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Floods and Landslides Leave 14 Dead in Bosnia

A state of natural disaster has been declared in Bosnia after heavy rainfall overwhelmed homes and roads, leaving many dead, including a baby. Original post Here

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In the Eye of the Storm – Farmers of Albania

What Albania has a lot of is agricultural potential. Fertile lands and excellent weather. We can produce twice, even thrice a year. Yet, productivity is low and financial security for farmers is inexistant. Because of that, cropland abandonment has become a staple, as has urban migration and even emigration. The …

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Lenin’s footsteps in Tirana

By Veto Surroi The debate about beliefs with the “Bektashi Vatican” and the imprisonment of MP Salianji as a punishment for free speech are new and completely unnecessary problems for a state that, with major problems such as organized crime, will begin EU membership negotiations 1. Albania can paraphrase the …

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Albanians Fighting Cancer – AFC USA – Gala Concert with Impromptu Singalongs Elevates Pride Craving More Encores

Rafaela Prifti “The first time I heard the name Albanians Fighting Cancer AFC, it was through a GoFundMe page that someone launched for a relative with a cancer diagnosis,” said Fotini Kokeri of the Kosloski Family Foundation at the Gala Concert Saturday night featuring two remarkable Albanian performers, tenor Rame …

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Before He’s Even Started, Albania’s New Police Chief Has Phone Seized in Probe

Days before he is due to officially start the role, Albania’s police chief-elect, Ilir Proda, has had his mobile phone seized by anti-corruption prosecutors over a suspected leak of information to a notorious organised crime group. Original post Here

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Serbia and Albania move toward opening consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc, Đurić reveals details of meeting with Hoxha

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-turn-id-container=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-turn=”user”> Serbia and Albania have reached an agreement in principle to open consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc. The announcement was made by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, who said the understanding was reached during a meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Ferit Hoxha. …

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Rama: First permit under the Mountains Package approved for a family from Theth

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the National Territorial Council has approved the first permit under the Mountains Package for the Hasani family from Theth. In a post on Facebook, Rama said that the Hasani family has decided to invest its savings in its ancestral land and return to …

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Serbian consulate in Shkodër: Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha responds

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has responded to the debate sparked by the Serbian foreign minister’s remarks about the possible opening of a Serbian consulate in the northern Albanian city of Shkodër, stressing that Albania’s main priority remains …

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London-based magazine interviews Rama: Protests, Kushner and the ambition for a European Albania

Prime Minister Edi Rama is the focus of an in-depth profile by the prestigious magazine Monocle, which offers a different portrait of Albania’s head of government. From the protests outside the Prime Minister’s Office and the controversy surrounding Jared Kushner’s tourism projects on Albania’s coast, to the ambition of steering …

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Draft of Socialist Party’s new territorial map unveiled, 15 municipalities to be merged

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-turn-id-container=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Socialist Party has submitted a draft law for a new territorial reform, proposing a major reorganization of local government and reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> Under the …

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Socialist Party responds to plan to merge 15 municipalities

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-16″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-16″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s Socialist Party (SP) has responded to concerns over its proposed territorial reform, which includes the merger of 15 municipalities, stressing that the territorial consolidation will not result in the “elimination” of any municipality or city. According to the SP, the …

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Why do you still want to stay in power? Rama responds live to citizens: The mission continues until…

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-13″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-13″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Socialist Party leader and Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed comments and calls from citizens demanding his resignation during a meeting with the party’s political leaders and the chairs of parliamentary committees. He said his mission would continue until the Albanian flag …

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Rama: I’m not stepping down, I want to take Albania into the EU! Without this mission, I would have already left as prime minister and Socialist Party leader

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”d98e4bd0-d1a6-4fed-ac16-c12c58c1f792″ data-turn-id-container=”d98e4bd0-d1a6-4fed-ac16-c12c58c1f792″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-turn=”user”> Prime Minister Edi Rama has declared that he will not step down and will continue his political mission until Albania achieves membership in the European Union. He made the remarks during a meeting at the Palace of Brigades with the Socialist …

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Jola Hysa appointed head of Albania’s National Tourism Agency

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”49480e36-fada-4c60-9601-2fab20f3b3a8″ data-turn-id-container=”49480e36-fada-4c60-9601-2fab20f3b3a8″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-21″ data-turn=”user”> Former Democratic Party (PD) Secretary for Public Relations Jola Hysa has been appointed as the new Director General of Albania’s National Tourism Agency (AKT). *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-19″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-19″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-22″ data-turn=”assistant”> Hysa replaces Zana Çela in the position. She …

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Residents protest Socialist Party plan to merge Maliq municipality with Korçë

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”caed1a7e-83e0-4d9a-ae91-0aa01efa6071″ data-turn-id-container=”caed1a7e-83e0-4d9a-ae91-0aa01efa6071″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-19″ data-turn=”user”> Residents of the Municipality of Maliq announced on Thursday that they will hold a protest against Albania’s proposed new territorial map, which would merge 15 municipalities. Under the Socialist Party’s proposal, Maliq would be merged with the Municipality of Korçë. *]:pointer-events-auto …

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Serbia and Albania move toward opening consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc, Đurić reveals details of meeting with Hoxha

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-turn-id-container=”c30abf35-7593-48b4-92fa-5a8824007b60″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-17″ data-turn=”user”> Serbia and Albania have reached an agreement in principle to open consulates in Shkodër and Bujanoc. The announcement was made by Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Đurić, who said the understanding was reached during a meeting with his Albanian counterpart, Ferit Hoxha. …

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Rama: First permit under the Mountains Package approved for a family from Theth

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the National Territorial Council has approved the first permit under the Mountains Package for the Hasani family from Theth. In a post on Facebook, Rama said that the Hasani family has decided to invest its savings in its ancestral land and return to …

News

Serbian consulate in Shkodër: Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha responds

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-15″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha has responded to the debate sparked by the Serbian foreign minister’s remarks about the possible opening of a Serbian consulate in the northern Albanian city of Shkodër, stressing that Albania’s main priority remains …

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London-based magazine interviews Rama: Protests, Kushner and the ambition for a European Albania

Prime Minister Edi Rama is the focus of an in-depth profile by the prestigious magazine Monocle, which offers a different portrait of Albania’s head of government. From the protests outside the Prime Minister’s Office and the controversy surrounding Jared Kushner’s tourism projects on Albania’s coast, to the ambition of steering …

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Draft of Socialist Party’s new territorial map unveiled, 15 municipalities to be merged

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-turn-id-container=”cee5a88d-6281-44ee-ba72-d3f2c804bb59″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-7″ data-turn=”user”> Albania’s Socialist Party has submitted a draft law for a new territorial reform, proposing a major reorganization of local government and reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-12″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-8″ data-turn=”assistant”> Under the …

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Socialist Party responds to plan to merge 15 municipalities

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-16″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-16″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-16″ data-turn=”assistant”> Albania’s Socialist Party (SP) has responded to concerns over its proposed territorial reform, which includes the merger of 15 municipalities, stressing that the territorial consolidation will not result in the “elimination” of any municipality or city. According to the SP, the …

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Why do you still want to stay in power? Rama responds live to citizens: The mission continues until…

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-13″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-13″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> Socialist Party leader and Prime Minister Edi Rama addressed comments and calls from citizens demanding his resignation during a meeting with the party’s political leaders and the chairs of parliamentary committees. He said his mission would continue until the Albanian flag …

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Rama: I’m not stepping down, I want to take Albania into the EU! Without this mission, I would have already left as prime minister and Socialist Party leader

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”d98e4bd0-d1a6-4fed-ac16-c12c58c1f792″ data-turn-id-container=”d98e4bd0-d1a6-4fed-ac16-c12c58c1f792″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-11″ data-turn=”user”> Prime Minister Edi Rama has declared that he will not step down and will continue his political mission until Albania achieves membership in the European Union. He made the remarks during a meeting at the Palace of Brigades with the Socialist …

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Jola Hysa appointed head of Albania’s National Tourism Agency

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”49480e36-fada-4c60-9601-2fab20f3b3a8″ data-turn-id-container=”49480e36-fada-4c60-9601-2fab20f3b3a8″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-21″ data-turn=”user”> Former Democratic Party (PD) Secretary for Public Relations Jola Hysa has been appointed as the new Director General of Albania’s National Tourism Agency (AKT). *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(–header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-19″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:21890c5b-bf80-4946-afed-b471d10fb5b4-19″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-22″ data-turn=”assistant”> Hysa replaces Zana Çela in the position. She …

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Residents protest Socialist Party plan to merge Maliq municipality with Korçë

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(–scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(–thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-(–sticky-padding-top)” dir=”auto” data-turn-id=”caed1a7e-83e0-4d9a-ae91-0aa01efa6071″ data-turn-id-container=”caed1a7e-83e0-4d9a-ae91-0aa01efa6071″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-19″ data-turn=”user”> Residents of the Municipality of Maliq announced on Thursday that they will hold a protest against Albania’s proposed new territorial map, which would merge 15 municipalities. Under the Socialist Party’s proposal, Maliq would be merged with the Municipality of Korçë. *]:pointer-events-auto …