‘Hope Dies Last’: The Bosnian Wartime Sexual Violence Survivor Fighting for Justice
In the second of BIRN’s series about women’s wartime activism, Midheta Kaloper explains how she survived sexual violence during the Bosnian war and now helps other survivors to fight for their rights – and bring the perpetrators to justice. Original post Here
Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion
By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance have become more pronounced, and in a synthesized way this is reflected in the increasing number of MPs of the ruling party from one mandate to …
Week in Review: Surprises and Standoffs
As the year draws towards its end, our Balkan Insight Premium stories show that there is no shortage of political surprises, unexpected twists and new standoffs across the region. Original post Here
How Albanians in America Lobbied for Freedom Back Home
Albanian-American writer Fron Nahzi’s new book explains how the Albanian diaspora used its newfound freedom in the United States to campaign for a range of nationalist causes. Original post Here
Rebuilt Housing Estate for Albanian Quake Survivors Hosts Just One Family
The earthquake that hit Albania in November 2019 left many families homeless. But a rural housing estate built to accommodate some of them remains almost empty due to problems with infrastructure and insecure terrain. Original post Here
Albania’s Political Absurdity:Doomsday – The Day Albania “Lost” Its Deputy PM
O tempora, o mores. After Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku faced criminal charges, and after the court suspended her from office and banned her from leaving the country, what one would normally expect is either her immediate resignation or her immediate dismissal by Prime …
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
TIRANA, September 3 – Albania will experience relatively unstable weather conditions on Wednesday, according to the Military Meteorological Service. The weather will alternate between clear spells and moderate to dense cloud cover. Cloudiness will be more pronounced over mountainous areas, mainly in the east and southeast. Light rain is expected …
TIRANA, September 3 – Albania has been included among 8 destinations that travel reporter Becca Blond recommends visiting now, before mass tourism reaches them, in an article published by Yahoo Creators. Blond describes Albania as one of Europe’s less-discovered and most authentic destinations. She highlights its wild landscapes, untouched beaches, …
The Council of Ministers has approved official criteria for assessing immediate threats of environmental damage and determining environmental harm. The Ministry of Environment proposed the new regulation under Albania’s environmental protection law. The measure aims to support rapid preventive and rehabilitation measures across the country. The decision establishes a clear …
TIRANA, September 3 – Justice Minister Toni Gogu has highlighted the responsibility and daily challenges faced by penitentiary police officers at the Pojska Penitentiary in Pogradec. In a video shared on social media, Gogu said work in penitentiaries requires constant vigilance, accurate implementation of procedures and careful decision-making in different …
TIRANA, September 3 – Around 14,000 visitors visited the National Iconographic Museum “Onufri” in Berat during August, 4,000 more than in the same month last year. State Minister for Local Government Ervin Demo said the figure shows growing interest in Berat’s history and cultural heritage. The museum remains one of …
TIRANA, September 3 – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met his Montenegrin counterpart, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ervin Ibrahimovic, at the Bled Strategic Forum. Hoxha highlighted the friendly relations between Albania and Montenegro, describing the two countries as good neighbours, trusted partners and NATO allies. …
TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama received the Student Council of the Faculty of History and Philology at the University of Prishtina for a discussion on the role of politics and the importance of civic engagement. Rama said politics offers an opportunity to bring people together and advance …
TIRANA, September 3 – Finance Minister Petrit Malaj said magistrates’ salaries have not been blocked by the Ministry of Finance. He said the issue concerns the methodology used by the High Judicial Council and High Prosecutorial Council to prepare their August payrolls. According to Malaj, the two institutions submitted the …
TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama said Albania must address three major problems in the relationship between citizens and the state, describing “Pasqyrë Albania” (Dashboard Albania) and the “Merit Scale” as part of that effort. Speaking to the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party and the government cabinet, …
TIRANA, September 3 – Prime Minister Edi Rama announced the first component of “Pasqyrë Albania” (Dashboard Albania). The component, called “Flamingo Mirror”, will soon give citizens access to documents and information on issues of public interest. To begin with, Rama said the platform would cover planned investment projects on Sazan …