Week in Review: Realities Old and New
A string of long-awaited elections, as well as changing international dynamics, are reshaping the region, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. Original post Here
Albania sets new maximum fuel prices from 13:00
Albania’s Transparency Board has set new maximum wholesale and retail prices for diesel and petrol. The new prices will take effect on October 9 at 13:00 and will remain in force until the board’s next meeting. The maximum retail price for diesel will be ALL 213 per litre, while the …
Anti-corruption chief Braho meets European Commissioner McGrath
Klodjan Braho, head of Albania’s Special Structure against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK), met European Commissioner Michael McGrath on Thursday. McGrath is responsible for democracy, justice, the rule of law and consumer protection. The talks covered the Code of Criminal Procedure, political rhetoric towards the anti-corruption structure and continued cooperation …
Kosovo to Compete at European Individual Table Tennis Championships
Kosovo will compete at the 2026 European Individual Table Tennis Championships in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The European Table Tennis Union (ETTU) will host the tournament at Arena Stozice, bringing together the continent’s top players. Kreshnik Mahmuti and Shega Hashani will represent Kosovo, with Ridvan Hashani as their coach. FPPK President Nehat …
Restoration Work Begins at Selca Monumental Tombs
Specialists from the Korçë Regional Directorate of Cultural Heritage have started maintenance work at the Monumental Tombs of Lower Selca. They are replacing and restoring the protective shelters over the ancient tombs to shield the structures from weather damage and preserve the site. The tombs stand in the Mokër area, …
Tickets on sale for Albania-Finland Nations League match
Tickets are now on sale for Albania’s UEFA Nations League match against Finland at Air Albania Stadium on November 12. Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45. The match will be the penultimate fixture in Group C1. The Albanian Football Association has announced that fans can buy tickets in the stadium’s designated …
Kosova Security Force wins gold at Cambrian Patrol 2026
The Kosova Security Force won a gold medal at the Cambrian Patrol 2026 competition in the United Kingdom. Kosova’s Defence Minister Ejup Maqedonci announced the result, achieved among 120 participating teams. Maqedonci said the award reflects the force’s professionalism, discipline and high level of training. Meanwhile, members of the team …
Albania’s foreign currency reserves exceed 8.4 billion euros
Albania’s foreign currency reserves exceeded 8.4 billion euros at the end of August 2026. This marked their highest recorded level. According to the Bank of Albania, reserves increased by 15.1% from the end of 2025. They also rose by 18.7% year on year. Foreign currency purchases by the central bank …
Prosecutor General highlights legal reforms and infrastructure problems
Albania’s Prosecutor General, Olsjan Çela, welcomed efforts to improve criminal procedure law. However, he called for urgent solutions to infrastructure problems, security concerns and magistrates’ pay. He spoke at the general meeting of prosecutors, which is electing new members of the High Prosecutorial Council (KLP). Çela said staff shortages and …
Public Administration Minister Pirdeni: Performance will determine career advancement
Minister of Public Administration and Anti-Corruption Adea Pirdeni presented a reform of the public administration’s performance appraisal and career development system. She said the initiative aims to identify individual contributions, assess performance and link career advancement to merit. Pirdeni referred to findings from the National Public Service Survey. She said …
More than 200 minors have been arrested or charged amid protests in Albania, while the Ombudsperson and rights organisations report allegations of police violence and breaches of safeguards designed to protect children. Original post Here
Adea Pirdeni took office as Albania’s Minister of Public Administration after swearing an oath before President Bajram Begaj today. On October 19, 2026, Begaj signed two decrees concerning Pirdeni’s appointment. Decree No. 521 ended her tenure as Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption. Decree No. 522 appointed her …
Albania’s Electricity Distribution Operator has signed a contract to build a new underground power substation in central Tirana. The facility will have an installed capacity of 200 megavolt-amperes and three underground floors. The project will be the first of its kind in Albania and the Balkan region. The operator’s administrator, …
The European People’s Party (EPP) has called for respect for peaceful protest in Albania. In a statement on X, the centre-right political group said authorities must uphold this right. It called for immediate, thorough and independent investigations into allegations of excessive, unlawful or disproportionate use of force. It also stressed …
Albania’s Abissnet Superiore will resume this weekend with five matches scheduled for October 24 and 25 as teams continue their battle for the season’s goals. Saturday’s action will begin at 13:30, with Partizani facing Skënderbeu at Vora Stadium and Laçi hosting Vora. Two more matches will kick off at 18:30, …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has commented on last week’s protests. He said the right to protest was undeniable, but violence was an unjustifiable crime. In a message on social media, Rama said he wanted to explain one aspect of what he described as days of psychological terror against the capital …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu says the digitalization of enforcement services aims to improve access to court decisions and reduce waiting times at service counters. He stressed that winning a court case is only the first step; authorities must also enforce the ruling. Data published by the ministry show that 22 …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has claimed that violence at recent protests in Albania was planned months in advance. He said the State Police now holds information about the people and groups allegedly involved. In a statement shared on social media, Rama said he had recognised the protesters’ right to demand …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has expressed Albania’s full support for Lana Nusseibeh of the United Arab Emirates as a candidate for United Nations secretary-general. In a post on X, he described her candidacy as an opportunity for a fresh start for the international organization. Rama said he had met Nusseibeh …
Albania’s parliament has passed a new Copyright Law aimed at strengthening protections for Albanian creators and aligning the country with European standards. Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja said the law introduces stricter rules for digital platforms, including YouTube, Facebook and TikTok. Platforms must obtain authorization to use copyrighted …