CEC approves results of May 14 elections in Tirana, Durrës
The Central Election Commission has approved the results of the May 14 elections for the Municipality of Tirana and that of Durrës. Thus, the chief commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi declared that Erion Veliaj is officially the winning candidate for the Municipality of Tirana, showing the valid votes that each of the …
OTP Bank Albania: Establishing a firm foundation to serve Albania’s dynamic economy and society
OTP Bank Albania CEO Bledar Shella Hungary’s largest OTP Bank Group entered Albania’s market four years ago, and its subsidiary OTP Bank Albania has recently grown further through a merger, positioning itself to to serve a greater portion of Albania’s economy, which it sees as a dynamic and promising. The …
Is Albania’s new dominant-party system here to stay?
By ANDI BALLA The ruling Socialist Party scored a sweeping victory in Albania’s May 14, 2023 municipal elections. SP won 54 out of 61 municipalities, including every single large city. Socialist mayors will govern more than 94 percent of the country’s population, adding to the SP domination at the national …
Mother, daughter prosecuted for trying to smuggle EUR 40,000 through Rinas
Rinas Police has seized 40,000 euros in the airport checks, while the mother and daughter who tried to cross the border were prosecuted in connection with the incident. The police informs that the large amount of money was hidden in the body of the two citizens, while the materials were …
Jailed Himara’s mayor to appear at court, might lose mandate
Candidate of the “Together We Win” coalition for the Municipality of Himara, Fredi Beleri, was arrested a day before the elections, after being caught buying votes, but was able to win the battle for the Municipality of Himara behind jail. Vlora’s Court imposed the measure of “prison arrest”, while he …
No settlement deal between Berisha, Veliaj on defamation Trial
Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, filed a defamation lawsuit against the former Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, after the latter accused him of ties to Iran and first session with the representation of the two parties was held this Friday. This session lasted only 20 minutes, where the lawyers of Berisha …
Electric scooters’ serial thief arrested in Tirana
A 20-year-old man has been arrested this Friday by the Tirana police after allegedly stealing electric skateboards in Tirana. According to the police, 20-year-old Emiljan Guraj and his minor accomplice, 16 years old, are suspected of being the authors of at least 7 cases of theft of skateboards. His arrest …
Accused of “concealing and non-declaration of assets”, SPAK demands a year in prison for the former head of C. Court
The Special Prosecutor’s Office requests a year in prison for Bashkim Deda, the former head of the Constitutional Court, according to Ermal Vija, ABC News journalist. According to Article 59, is required the suspension of the execution of the sentence and placement on probation for 2 years. Deda is accused …
Democrats react after the resignation of Alibeaj
Democratic MP Ervin Salianji has declared Thursday that the resignation of Enkelejd Alibeaj from the position of Democratic Party’s (DP) Parliamentary Group’s Head is an attempt for further fragmentation of the opposition political force. In a statement to the media, the politician said that after the disappointing result of May …
SP urges opposition to return to parliament for pressing issues
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group in the Socialist Party (SP), Taulant Balla has called this Thursday on the opposition MPs to return to Parliament in order to carry on with the discussions regarding the ombudsman’s election and justice reform. In his speech, Balla underlined that their boycott right after the …
Former Speaker of Parliament Servet Pëllumbi has died at the age of 89. He co-founded the Socialist Party of Albania. He shaped the country’s democratic transition. Colleagues respected his integrity and leadership. He was born in Korça. He studied at the University of Saint Petersburg. He earned a PhD in …
Prime Minister Edi Rama urged unity to safeguard Albania’s EU accession process. He warned against any attempt to derail it. First, he spoke at the Socialist Party Assembly in Gjirokastër. There, he focused on EU integration. He described negotiations as tough and complex. Next, he stressed that a dedicated team …
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted to the death of former Speaker Servet Pëllumbi. He expressed sorrow and paid tribute. “Farewell, dear professor,” Rama wrote. He shared a photo of Pëllumbi on social media. Servet Pëllumbi died today at the age of 89. He served as Speaker of Parliament from 2002 …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha urged young people to actively engage in Albania’s EU integration process. He spoke during the “EU and You: Europe Starts Here” tour. He met students at “Sherif Hoxha” high school in Koplik, Malësi e Madhe. He highlighted the European Union as a …
A new public consultation on administrative-territorial reform took place in Vlora, as the European Parliament report on Albania for 2025 welcomed the ongoing work of the bipartisan parliamentary commission on the issue. The report stressed that any reform in this area must follow an inclusive process and rely on objective …
Prime Minister Edi Rama condemned Iran’s missile attack on the United Arab Emirates. He called it an act of aggression and terrorism. He reacted on the social network “X”. He said the attack is unprovoked and unjustified. He warned it threatens regional stability. He strongly condemned the strike. He said …
Deputy Socialist Party MP and former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku attended memorial ceremonies in Lushnjë on Martyrs’ Day. She joined the event alongside Finance Minister Petrit Malaj, Lushnjë Mayor Eriselda Sefa, and other state and political representatives. She laid wreaths at the Partizane Monument. She honored those who fell …
TIRANA, May 5 – The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ferit Hoxha, reacted to the adoption of a resolution by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament with 58 votes in favour on the European Commission progress report on Albania for 2025. In a post on social media …
TIRANA, May 5 – During his stay in Denmark, Speaker Niko Peleshi met the President of the Senate of Belgium, Vincent Blondel. According to Speaker, the meeting focused on coordination and support for Albania’s path toward the European Union. In a post on social media, he said Albania remains among …
TIRANA, May 5 – The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs condemned recent missile and drone attacks carried out by Iran against the United Arab Emirates. In a statement, the Ministry said the strikes targeted critical infrastructure, including energy facilities. It added that these actions violate sovereignty and international law. …