Albanian Ruling Party Proposes Law Granting Senior Officials Immunity
Proposed legal changes, which would protect ministers and other top officials from suspension by the courts, draw condemnation as a move to block anti-corruption investigations. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 16, 2026
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Albania’s AI Minister Diella Sued by Actor Over Image Use
Tirana Times, February 15, 2026 – Albania’s much publicized artificial intelligence “minister” Diella is now at the center of a legal and political controversy after actor Anila Bisha filed a lawsuit against the Albanian government, accusing state institutions of unlawfully using her image and voice. The case, filed at the Administrative …
Shielding Power from Justice
How legislative moves to protect senior officials are putting Albania’s rule of law and EU path at risk By Zef Preçi When governments begin rewriting the rules to protect themselves from the courts, the problem is no longer legal. It is political. Albania’s latest debate over judicial measures against senior …
Week in Review: Commitment, Stasis and the Epstein Effect
An unfolding scandal of global proportions combines with eventful developments in the region in our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week. Original post Here
Kosovo, Albania Parliaments Adopt Resolutions Seeking Justice for Thaci
MPs in both Kosovo and Albania on Thursday adopted declarations in support of the four former guerilla KLA leaders, including Thaci, whose trial for war crimes in The Hague is coming to an end. Original post Here
Actress Sues Albanian Govt for Using Her Image for AI ‘Minister’
Actress Anila Bisha told BIRN that her image was used as the face of Albania’s AI-generated public procurements ‘minister’ without proper permission. Original post Here
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
President of the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) Armand Duka met today with Paolo Zampolli, US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships. Zampolli is visiting Tirana as part of a wider tour. During his visit, he has met representatives of state institutions, political leaders and other stakeholders in Albania. …
Minister of Defense Ermal Nufi met today with Major General Jasper Jeffers, Commander of the US Special Operations Command Central (SOCCENT) and Commander of the International Stabilization Force (ISF) in Gaza. During the meeting, the two sides highlighted the importance of the close Albania-US partnership in defense and security. “Our …
President Bajram Begaj called for cooperation, commitment and dialogue as Albania opened its new parliamentary session today. Begaj urged political forces to work together even when they disagree. He said they should always focus on the country’s interests. “Political mandates and beliefs differ, but our responsibility toward Albania is shared. …
President of the Albanian National Olympic Committee (KOKSH) Fidel Ylli welcomed US Special Envoy for Global Partnerships Paolo Zampolli during a special visit focused on strengthening international cooperation through sport. According to KOKSH, the visit created a new opportunity to strengthen communication and international partnerships in sport. Albania is also …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha condemned tributes to Ratko Mladic in Serbia today. “Albania condemns the glorification of Ratko Mladic, a convicted war criminal who died while serving a life sentence for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes,” Hoxha wrote in a post on X. Hoxha …
Former Albania national team captain Lorik Cana has strongly reacted in an Instagram post, commenting on a photograph of a young woman and expressing concern over how younger generations are confronting the past and relations between peoples. Cana said the photograph made him “deeply sad,” stressing that the younger generation …
Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has accused Serbia of “state worship of genocide” following the burial with state honors of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić. Mladić, who was convicted of genocide for the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia and Herzegovina, where 8,372 Bosniaks, mainly men and boys, were killed in …
The Albanian Parliament opened the third session of its 11th Legislature today, resuming parliamentary activity following the recess. At the first plenary sitting of the new session, Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi delivered the opening remarks, emphasizing Parliament’s responsibility to continue working in the interests of citizens and the country. …
Director General, Senior Director Skender Hita has continued his meetings with local and border police structures as part of intensified measures to strengthen the rule of law across the country. During meetings in Vlorë, Gjirokastër, Shkodër and Lezhë, Director Hita focused on the crime situation, particularly serious crimes, as well …
The new EU Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, posted on X about her meeting with Prime Minister Edi Rama earlier today. Alongside a photo from the meeting, the Ambassador wrote that the discussion focused on Albania’s European future, expressing optimism about it. Full statement: “Today I had my …