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
Tirana Mayor Set to Run Albanian Capital from Prison Cell
Mayor Erion Veliaj looks on course to continue governing the city from his jail cell – after the Constitutional Court annulled his dismissal and PM Edi Rama said he will not call early elections in Tirana. Original post Here
Letter From Brussels: Judgment Day for the Balkan Hopefuls
In the first of her monthly dispatches from the heartland of the European Union, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at which Balkan states have been getting gold stars – or black marks – from the enlargement commissioners. Original post Here
TIRANA, April 8 – The Albanian Investment Corporation signed cooperation agreements with public partners to launch the “Independent Institutions Complex” project. The initiative aims to modernise administrative infrastructure and improve public services. At the ceremony, director Elira Kokona described the project as a key step toward urban and institutional change. …
TIRANA, April 8 – Saranda municipality has started work to address issues identified during the previous tourist season. A dedicated task force is now monitoring conditions on the ground. At the same time, officials have included all key concerns in the 2026 budget. As a result, current investments focus on …
TIRANA, April 8 – Albania has put its 2026 agricultural support scheme into force. Authorities will publish detailed guidelines soon. These will set criteria and open applications for farmers. The programme is backed by a €52m fund. It introduces key changes to widen access and increase support in priority sectors. …
TIRANA, April 8 – Albania secured a 35 million euro soft loan to upgrade its electricity network in the north. The Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration approved the funding agreement today with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti S.p.A. Deputy Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, Edona Bilali, said the …
TIRANA, April 8 – Tirana will host the IV Diaspora Summit from 14 to 16 April. The event gathers Albanians from around the world who live and work abroad while keeping strong ties to their roots. The summit opens on Monday evening, 13 April, at 18:00 with a welcome ceremony …
TIRANA, April 8 – The Transparency Board set new fuel prices today following fluctuations on the Mediterranean Platts market. Retail diesel standard SSH EN 590 dropped by 4 Lek per litre, from 224 Lek to 220 Lek. Wholesale diesel will not exceed 208 Lek per litre. Gasoline prices remain unchanged. …
TIRANA, April 8 – The ombudsman of the Republic of Albania, Endrit Shabani, met in Skopje with his counterpart from North Macedonia, Faton Selami. Kosovo ombudsman Naim Qelaj also attended. They discussed Albanian student protests and the guarantee of using Albanian in higher education. Shabani, also president of the Mediterranean …
The Transparency Board announced on Wednesday a reduction in the price of diesel and its by-products. According to the decision, the retail price of gasoil (diesel) under the SSH EN 590 standard will be no more than 220 lek per liter, while the wholesale price will be no more than …
The newly appointed Director General of the State Police, Skënder Hita, held his first meeting with international partners, specifically a delegation from the European Serious and Organised Crime Centre (ESOCC) at Europol. According to a press release, the delegation was led by Andy Kraag, Head of the Centre for Combating …
The Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania has expressed its position regarding the recent agreement on a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a positive step toward reducing tensions. In an official statement, Albanian diplomacy emphasized that it has consistently supported efforts aimed …