Albania’s AI Facade Cracks While Neighbors Win EU Funds
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Serbia and North Macedonia have secured concrete European Union funding to integrate into Europe’s emerging artificial intelligence infrastructure, while Albania—despite high-profile political messaging around AI—has been left outside the first wave of financed projects. According to the latest map and project list published by …
Behind Albania’s Collapsing Roads: Clientelism and Corruption
Tirana Times, February 12 2026 – The rapid deterioration of newly inaugurated roads and tunnels across Albania has exposed far more than technical shortcomings. What authorities have sought to explain as weather-related damage is increasingly understood as a symptom of deeper governance failures rooted in clientelism, weak oversight, and systemic …
Solar Energy Revolution Comes at a Cost in Rural Albania
Photovoltaic parks are multiplying across Albania as the country aims for ‘energy sovereignty’ – but locals say losing agricultural land to solar panels is a blow to their livelihoods. Original post Here
Albania’s TikTok Ban Expires, But Promised Protections Still Pending
As a one-year ban ends, Albanian authorities say they are still working with TikTok on ‘relevant filters’ to better protect young users of the video-sharing app. Original post Here
Letter From Brussels: The Epstein Effect Hits Europe
In her latest monthly dispatch from Brussels, Gjeraqina Tuhina looks at the ripple-effects of the Jeffrey Epstein saga, while Serbia falls behind on the long march to EU accession. Original post Here
Opposition Takes to the Streets as Corruption Scandal Reaches the Heart of Power
Tirana Times, February 10, 2026 – Thousands of Albanians filled the streets of Tirana on Tuesday evening in a national protest called by the opposition Democratic Party, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama, the dismissal of his government, and the establishment of a technical cabinet to lead the …
Balkans Seeing ‘Serious Stagnation’ in Tackling Corruption: Transparency International
As Transparency International releases its latest corruption perception index, the watchdog’s Lidija Prokic tells BIRN that anti-graft drives have faltered across the Western Balkans – in Serbia especially. Original post Here
BIRN Reality Check: With Its Mayor Behind Bars, Stasis Grips Albania’s Capital
Awaiting trial on graft charges, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj has fought hard to maintain his position after the Albanian government tried to dismiss him – but how is the city being governed while he’s in a cell? Original post Here
EU Presses Parliament Over Deputy PM Immunity
Albania’s choice now will signal whether it is converging with that standard or drifting toward a system where, as Orwell warned, all are equal, but some remain more equal than others. Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The European Union has publicly urged the Albanian Parliament to address without delay …
Is A Storm Gathering Over Justice in Albania?
By Zef Preçi Tirana Times, 09 February 2026 – The campaign that Albania’s ruling Socialist Party appears to be preparing against the Special Anti Corruption Structure (SPAK) raises serious concerns not only about the future of the rule of law in the country but also about the credibility of Albania’s …
Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Klodiana Spahiu, who has also been nominated as Minister of Health and Social Welfare, met today with Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy and the US government’s Special Representative for Global Partnerships. Spahiu and Zampolli discussed the strong relations between Albania …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today with Paolo Zampolli, the United States Special Envoy for Global Partnerships. The meeting focused on ways to deepen the strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. The two sides paid particular attention to expanding economic cooperation, increasing trade and …
US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships in the Balkans, Paolo Zampolli, said Monday that the Albanian people should decide whether to establish a sovereign Bektashi state in Tirana. During his visit to Albania, Zampolli met with representatives of the Bektashi community and Albanian political leaders. He also …
Socialist Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Taulant Balla met today with US President Donald J. Trump’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, at the Albanian Parliament. During the meeting, Balla and Zampolli discussed the strong relationship between Albania and the United States. They also exchanged views on regional and …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today an excerpt from his interview with journalist Rudina Xhunga, who held an extensive conversation with the prime minister on her “Flasim Shqip” podcast. In a video posted on social media, Rama shared part of his story about his school years. He recalled an experience …
For the 16th consecutive Saturday, Albanian activists living in Lombardy gathered in central Milan carrying red-and-black flags and banners bearing the slogan “Albania Is Not for Sale.” The protest is part of the so-called “Flamingo Revolution,” a movement launched in Albania on May 23 against the construction of a luxury …
The Chair of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, today received Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, Special Envoy of United States President Donald J. Trump for Global Partnerships, at the Presidency of the Albanian Parliament. Balla said that during the meeting, the two sides discussed the excellent relations between Albania and …
20.1% of Albania’s population is under the age of 18. This means that around one in five residents of the country belongs to this age group. Compared with other countries in the region, Albania is in a relatively favorable position. Montenegro leads with 21.8% of its population under the age …
Archbishop Joan of Tirana, Durrës and All Albania delivered a strong message of peace and religious harmony during the Jubilee International Conference of the Bektashi Community. In his address, the Archbishop praised the open and continuous communication between the two communities. The head of the Orthodox Church stressed that the …
The total stock of savings in the banking system reached around ALL 1.5 trillion at the end of July 2026. A report published by the Bank of Albania shows a strong increase in savings, driven mainly by the expansion of savings in the local currency. Lek-denominated deposits held by individuals, …