The Limits of Spectacle Diplomacy in the UK–Albania Migration Row
The clash between Edi Rama and Shabana Mahmood over the fate of 700 Albanian families in the UK exposes a deeper truth about modern diplomacy: visibility is not the same as influence. When the Home Secretary singled out Albanian families while announcing sweeping asylum reforms, she was not improvising. She …
Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility
Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test …
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
TIRANA, September 1 – The Ministry of Defence reported 27 wildfires across Albania over the past 24 hours. Four fires remain active, while authorities are monitoring 4 others. Firefighters deployed 432 operational personnel and 43 vehicles, with support from 70 military personnel and 3 Air Force helicopters. Today, authorities plan …
TIRANA, September 1 – Albanian referee Emanuela Rusta will officiate another major European fixture. She will referee the second leg of the third qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League between Paris Saint-Germain and Frankfurt. The match will take place on September 2 at 18:30 at the PSG Campus …
Albania’s history of protecting Jewish people during World War II took center stage at a documentary exhibition held today at the General Directorate of Archives. The exhibition highlighted how Albanian families sheltered Jewish people fleeing Nazi persecution and antisemitic terror. A group of history teachers from Albania and Kosovo attended …
TIRANA, September 1 – The US Embassy in Tirana praised Albania for repatriating 5 Albanian citizens from Syria. The group included 2 women and 3 children. The embassy described the operation as an important step for the families and for global security. It said the returnees would receive support for …
The Monastery of the Archangels in Derviçan has entered the restoration phase. The project also covers the eastern and western guest quarters of the complex. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja shared images of the ongoing work at the important cultural and religious heritage site. The restoration will …
TIRANA, September 1 – Albania plans to increase funding for reimbursed medicines by 28% in 2027. The fund will reach 17.28 billion ALL, up from 13.5 billion ALL in 2026. The 2027–2029 Medium-Term Budget Programme projects an expansion of the reimbursed medicines list by 20 items. The list will grow …
Berat offers travelers a rare mix of history, adventure, gastronomy and hospitality. Pier Andrea Canei highlights the city in Italy’s “Style Magazine”. He presents Berat as an increasingly popular destination for international travelers. The UNESCO-listed city combines its historic “thousand windows” with the medieval Berat Castle, the Osum Canyon and …
TIRANA, September 1 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met his Slovenian counterpart Tone Kajzer in Bled, Slovenia. The meeting took place during the Bled Strategic Forum 2026. The ministers discussed Albania’s European Union membership process, Europe’s future and the strategic importance of the Western Balkans. They …
TIRANA, September 1 – More than 220 people have requested access to the courtroom for the September 16 verdict in the case of Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi and Rexhep Selimi. The Kosova Specialist Chambers in The Hague will allocate only 80 seats in the public gallery. Forty seats …
TIRANA, September 1 – The “After School” program will operate in 408 schools across Albania. Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu announced the expansion as the new school year approaches. The program will offer activities in art, culture, creativity, practical skills and learning. It will cover 117 schools in Tirana, 96 …