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Analysis: With low turnout, local elections give insights into grim demographic forecasts

Migration and demographics playing increasing role in Albanian elections TIRANA, May 16, 2023 – Albania’s latest administrative elections marked the lowest turnout ever for a competitive voting process in post-communism, with only about one in three eligible voters casting votes.  The number of people who had the right to vote …

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Elections/ Celibashi: According to the law, the result will be announced today at 22:00

If everything will goes well and the law will be respected, today at 22:00 we will have the result for the local elections for mayors. The statement comes from the head of the CEC, Ilirjan Celibashi, at the first press conference today. ” According to the law, by 10:00 p.m. …

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For Tourism-Dependent Balkan States, Foreign Workers Fill Growing Gap

Tourism is a mainstay of the Croatian, Montenegrin and Albanian economies. But growing labour shortages mean hotels, restaurants and bars are increasingly looking abroad for staff. Original post Here

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Share Your Experience: School Violence in South Eastern Europe

We would like to hear from parents, legal guardians, and teachers willing to share their experiences to help our upcoming investigation into school violence in Southeast Europe. Original post Here

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Ruling Socialists Defeat Divided Opposition in Albanian Local Polls

Preliminary data from Albania’s Central Election Commission shows that the ruling Socialist Party is leading in the majority of municipalities in the country, including the capital Tirana. Original post Here

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Opposition candidate wins Puka Municipality

Candidate of “Together We Win” coalition, Rrok Dodaj has won this Monday the May 14 local elections for Puka Municipality with 58.13%, against the Socialist Party’s (SP) candidate, Gjon Gjonaj with 41.87% Based on the published data, hope of the “Together We Win” coalition candidates to hold another term in …

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Socialist Party leads in 54 municipalities from north to south, “Together We Win” is expected to win in 7 cities

A few hours have passed since the official start of the counting of votes to announce the new mayors from the May 14 elections. So far, the counting for the mayor has been completed in the Municipality of Kamza, in Elbasan and in Vorë, where the counting was done electronically, …

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Ballot counting interrupted in Tirana’s number five unit

Counting of ballots has been stopped this Monday for several hours at the “Vasil Shanto” school in Tirana and is expected to start at 11:00. Halting of the process has come despite the order by Chairman of the Central Election Commission (CEC), Ilirjan Celibashi vote counters must continue working without …

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Arrested opposition candidate wins Himara municipality

Candidate of the “Together We Win” coalition, Fredi Beleri has won the mandate of the mayor of Himara in the May 14 elections, although he was arrested on vote-rigging charges. According to the local media, Beleri won by a narrow margin to his Socialist Party (SP) opponent, Jorgo Goro. Meanwhile, …

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Saranda, Belsh municipalities won by socialist candidates

Process of ballots’ counting has finished this Monday in the Municipality of Saranda and Belsh, where candidates of the Socialist Party have won over their opponents from the “Together We Win” coalition. Arif Tafani has secured the next mandate at the head of the city of Belsh with a very …

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Former Speaker of Parliament Servet Pëllumbi Passes Away at 89

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 …

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Rama: Do Not Let EU Membership Process Be Held Hostage

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 …

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Rama Reacts to Pëllumbi’s Death: “Farewell, Dear Professor”

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 …

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Hoxha: EU Path Requires Engagement of the Young Generation

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 …

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Mazniku: Need for New Approach to Local Governance Challenges

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 …

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Rama Condemns Iran’s Missile Attack on the UAE

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 …

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Balluku Pays Tribute at Martyrs’ Cemetery in Lushnjë on May 5

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 …

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Foreign Minister says Albania on the right track, European Parliament committee backs enlargement progress

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 …

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Speaker Peleshi meets Belgian Senate President, discusses European Union path

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 …

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Albania condemns Iran attacks on United Arab Emirates, calls for de-escalation

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. …

News

Former Speaker of Parliament Servet Pëllumbi Passes Away at 89

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 …

News

Rama: Do Not Let EU Membership Process Be Held Hostage

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 …

News

Rama Reacts to Pëllumbi’s Death: “Farewell, Dear Professor”

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 …

News

Hoxha: EU Path Requires Engagement of the Young Generation

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 …

News

Mazniku: Need for New Approach to Local Governance Challenges

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 …

News

Rama Condemns Iran’s Missile Attack on the UAE

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 …

News

Balluku Pays Tribute at Martyrs’ Cemetery in Lushnjë on May 5

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 …

News

Foreign Minister says Albania on the right track, European Parliament committee backs enlargement progress

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 …

News

Speaker Peleshi meets Belgian Senate President, discusses European Union path

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 …

News

Albania condemns Iran attacks on United Arab Emirates, calls for de-escalation

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. …