Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections
By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times). Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for describing the country’s May 11 parliamentary elections as “free and fair,” arguing that her assessment contradicts the findings of international election monitors. In a statement delivered …
Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary
New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here
Albanian PM Condemns Deputy’s Suspension by Court as ‘Brutal Interference’
Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here
Albanian Special Court Suspends Deputy Prime Minister: Source
The special anti-corruption court suspended Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, who is under investigation for violating tender procedures, and barred her from travelling abroad, a source told BIRN. Original post Here
Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens
By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime marks one of the most consequential judicial interventions against a senior government official since the creation of SPAK. The court accepted the Special Prosecution’s request …
Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order
By Dr. Arben Ramkaj The recent visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington may emerge as one of the defining diplomatic moments of this decade. Nothing about this trip was improvised. For weeks, senior Saudi officials travelled to the U.S. capital to prepare the ground, defense …
Digital Rights Review: Journalists and LGBTQ+ Groups Targeted Online
BIRN’s monitors registered a series of digital attacks on media content, online harassment of journalists and threats against LGBTQ+ groups across the Balkans and Southeast Europe in September and October. Original post Here
Albania Opens Last Negotiation Cluster With EU
As Albania begins its last cluster of topics in its EU accession talks in Brussels – only one year after starting negotiations – Prime Minister Edi Rama expresses pride in his country’s achievement. Original post Here
Week in Review: Stuck in the Status Quo
Whether it’s political crises, corruption or political monopolies, our Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlight the stalemates that so often hold the region back. Original post Here
Opposition Aghast at Albanian PM’s Public Backing for Indicted Deputy
Analysts and opposition MPs say Prime Minister Edi Rama’s public backing for his indicted deputy is a direct challenge to the fight against organised crime and corruption. Original post Here
Albania will make basic product prices more transparent for consumers through the new “PriceWatch Albania” platform. The government plans to launch the platform in September. Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj said today that the platform will allow citizens to view and compare the prices of basic products. They will …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu has presented the government’s new political priority, focusing on improving citizens’ quality of life. This autumn, the “Social Albania” initiative will launch a new housing program for young couples and families. As the new political season begins, the government will put “Social Albania” at the …
Following competitions in various sports, it is now judo’s turn at the “Taranto 2026” Mediterranean Games, a sport that has brought Kosovo some of its greatest successes on the international stage. Kosovo’s judokas will compete on August 28 and 29 in Taranto, Italy, aiming to win medals at this major …
*]: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:9dddf98d-d243-4601-a1ef-6c184aa886ab-1″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:9dddf98d-d243-4601-a1ef-6c184aa886ab-1″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-4″ data-turn=”assistant”> Domestic electricity production increased by 34.4%, while exports rose by 55.4% in the second quarter of the year. Lower imports improved the country’s energy balance, although consumption and energy losses remain a challenge. Domestic electricity production increased by 34.4% in the …
The government has launched a program to help 300 public administration employees purchase homes under favorable conditions. Teachers, doctors, police officers, and employees of other public institutions can benefit from the scheme by applying through the e-Albania platform by September 25. The program provides financing for the purchase of a …
Velipoja continues to be one of the most popular destinations for both domestic and international visitors during the summer season. At the peak of the season, the beach is filled with tourists, while its peaceful atmosphere and wide-open spaces remain among the main reasons holidaymakers choose the area. The long, …
*]: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:9dddf98d-d243-4601-a1ef-6c184aa886ab-4″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:9dddf98d-d243-4601-a1ef-6c184aa886ab-4″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-10″ data-turn=”assistant”> The Director General of the State Police, Skënder Hita, addressed 389 cadets today who successfully completed the Professional Police Training College at the Security Academy, urging them to always be guided in their new duties by the law, service to citizens, …
Albania and the United Kingdom have signed a landmark Asset-Sharing Agreement following the conclusion of a drug-related case and the recovery of criminal funds. This marks the first agreement of its kind in the region and sets a new precedent for international cooperation on asset recovery and the fight against …
*]: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:9dddf98d-d243-4601-a1ef-6c184aa886ab-6″ data-turn-id-container=”request-WEB:9dddf98d-d243-4601-a1ef-6c184aa886ab-6″ data-testid=”conversation-turn-14″ data-turn=”assistant”> Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, held a meeting this Wednesday with the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, as part of efforts to reach an agreement on the election of Kosovo’s new President. The meeting, held …
TIRANA, August 26 – Albania has officially begun a new aerial survey of its territory. The project is being carried out through cooperation between the State Authority for Geospatial Information and the Albanian Development Fund. The initiative aims to update geospatial information and strengthen the country’s capacity to monitor, plan …