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UN Office in Tirana Reacts to Student Protests, Calls for Restraint and Dialogue

The United Nations in Albania has reacted to the protests in Tirana, expressing concern over acts of violence and escalating tensions. In its statement, the UN called on all parties to refrain from violence and engage in dialogue, emphasizing the importance of respecting fundamental rights and ensuring proportionality in law …

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Rama Reacts to Student Protests: No Force in the World Can Bring Albania Down Again

Prime Minister Edi Rama has reacted on social media to the ongoing protests by university and high school students in Tirana. Rama published a message expressing his love for Albania, accompanying the post with a photograph of a fallen road sign. “I loved Albania unconditionally when it had been brought …

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Student Protests: Albania’s Interreligious Council Calls for Dialogue, Peace and Listening to Young People

Albania’s religious leaders have issued a joint statement regarding the situation arising from student protests held across the country in recent days. In the statement, religious leaders called for peace, justice, responsibility and dialogue. The Interreligious Council stressed that young people must be heard and that institutions must provide responses …

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Tirana Student Protests: 56 Arrested, 97 Others Face Criminal Proceedings

Tirana Police have issued an official statement regarding protesters detained during Thursday’s protests. According to police, 56 people have been arrested and criminal proceedings have been initiated against 97 others. In the statement, police said protesters had engaged in acts of violence, throwing stones, hard objects and pyrotechnic devices at …

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Ilir Panda Takes Over as President of the Supreme Court as Sokol Sadushi Hands Over Office

Sokol Sadushi officially handed over his duties as President of the Supreme Court to Ilir Panda during a ceremony held this Friday in Tirana, in the Joint Chambers Hall. The ceremony was attended by Supreme Court judges, legal advisers, and members of the court’s administrative staff. The handover marks the …

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127 Arrested in Tirana, Public Order Director: Communication Channels Identified Calling for Terrorist Acts

The Director of the Department for Public Order and Security, Dhimitraq Ziu, said in a public statement on Friday that 127 people have so far been arrested in Tirana, while another 244 have been placed under investigation without being detained. The senior police official also stated that the Cybercrime Investigation …

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Interior Minister Demo: 156 injured in four days of protests, urges parents not to let children be used in violence

Interior Minister Ervin Demo has once again responded to the protests and violent incidents reported over the past four days. In a statement, Demo provided an overview of the situation, revealing that 156 people had been injured, including 97 police officers, 45 protesters and 12 bystanders. The minister paid particular …

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QSUT: 11 injured during protest, including 3 minors, 3 police officers and 2 bystanders

Tirana University Hospital Centre (QSUT) has updated its figures on the condition of those injured during the protest, as of 6:45 p.m. According to the statement, a total of 11 people have sought medical assistance, including protesters, minors, police officers and bystanders. Full statement: Update / Injuries during the October …

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Albania PM Defiant as Protests Spread to Provincial Cities

After the capital endured a third night of violent clashes between student-led protesters and police, Edi Rama vowed not to bow to the demands for him to quit. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Bad Deals and Scandals

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week takes a look at salacious tales making unpleasant headlines, political deals being mooted and insiders spilling secrets. Original post Here

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U.S. Embassy: Avoid Demonstrations, Warns of Road Closures and Disruptions to Public Services

The United States Embassy in Tirana has issued an official statement regarding the ongoing protests in Albania, as well as those expected on Saturday, warning of the risk of escalation into violence. The Embassy emphasized that some demonstrations have turned violent, involving the use of incendiary devices, stone-throwing, and property …

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PM Rama: We Will Launch Consultations with Parents and Teachers on Restricting Social Media Access for Minors

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the government will begin consultations with parents and teachers on restricting minors’ access to social media. Authorities are considering whether the age limit should be set at 16 or 18, with the aim of preventing children from having individual accounts on these platforms. …

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PM Rama: Starting Next Year, Children Will Stay at School Until 5:00 PM

During his speech this afternoon, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that, starting next year, children will remain at school until 5:00 PM. The measure will help working parents, while children will take part in cultural and sports activities that will also contribute to their social development. “Another important task is …

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European Commission: We Are Reviewing the Draft Law on the Bank of Albania

The European Commission has responded to recent amendments to the draft law on the Bank of Albania, specifically Article 72, which provides legal protection for the Governor of the Bank of Albania in the exercise of official duties. In response to a question from Euronews Albania journalist Thimi Samarxhiu, a …

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Week in Review: Big Changes, Bigger Challenges

Our selection of Premium stories this week seeks to unpack the aftermath of an eventful weekend, with dramatic and rapid changes in Serbia that could have a wider impact across the region. Original post Here

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Foreign Investors Association of Albania urge review of proposed 2027 tax measures

The Foreign Investors Association of Albania has called on the government to reconsider the proposed 2027 fiscal package. It urged officials to consult businesses meaningfully and assess the economic impact of planned tax increases. The association said major tax changes should rely on sound economic analysis and transparent consultation. Businesses …

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Finance Minister Malaj says 2027 fiscal package redistributes taxes rather than raising them

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has defended Albania’s proposed 2027 fiscal package, saying its overall effect on state revenue will be neutral or slightly negative. He presented the changes to the Economy Committee. Malaj said the package aims to redistribute revenue, protect vulnerable groups and support the middle class. Higher dividend …

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President Begaj consults Socialist Party and Social Democrats on 2027 local elections as Democrats decline invitation

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has begun consultations with parliamentary parties to set the date for the 2027 local elections. His first meeting was with Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla at the Brigades Palace at around 9:00 a.m. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party, led by Tom Doshi, were …

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Albanian news agency and German news agency train journalists in digital verification

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency has held professional training with Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur on verifying digital content amid growing challenges from artificial intelligence. Led by Deutsche Presse-Agentur journalist Stefan Voss, the session brought together 11 agency journalists and translators. Participants examined methods for detecting manipulated images and videos and checking the …

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President Begaj sets May 9, 2027, as date for Albania’s local elections

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the country’s next local elections. The Electoral Code requires voting to take place on one of four Sundays between April 15 and May 15. During consultations, the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the State Election …

News

U.S. Embassy: Avoid Demonstrations, Warns of Road Closures and Disruptions to Public Services

The United States Embassy in Tirana has issued an official statement regarding the ongoing protests in Albania, as well as those expected on Saturday, warning of the risk of escalation into violence. The Embassy emphasized that some demonstrations have turned violent, involving the use of incendiary devices, stone-throwing, and property …

News

PM Rama: We Will Launch Consultations with Parents and Teachers on Restricting Social Media Access for Minors

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced that the government will begin consultations with parents and teachers on restricting minors’ access to social media. Authorities are considering whether the age limit should be set at 16 or 18, with the aim of preventing children from having individual accounts on these platforms. …

News

PM Rama: Starting Next Year, Children Will Stay at School Until 5:00 PM

During his speech this afternoon, Prime Minister Edi Rama announced that, starting next year, children will remain at school until 5:00 PM. The measure will help working parents, while children will take part in cultural and sports activities that will also contribute to their social development. “Another important task is …

News

European Commission: We Are Reviewing the Draft Law on the Bank of Albania

The European Commission has responded to recent amendments to the draft law on the Bank of Albania, specifically Article 72, which provides legal protection for the Governor of the Bank of Albania in the exercise of official duties. In response to a question from Euronews Albania journalist Thimi Samarxhiu, a …

News

Week in Review: Big Changes, Bigger Challenges

Our selection of Premium stories this week seeks to unpack the aftermath of an eventful weekend, with dramatic and rapid changes in Serbia that could have a wider impact across the region. Original post Here

News

Foreign Investors Association of Albania urge review of proposed 2027 tax measures

The Foreign Investors Association of Albania has called on the government to reconsider the proposed 2027 fiscal package. It urged officials to consult businesses meaningfully and assess the economic impact of planned tax increases. The association said major tax changes should rely on sound economic analysis and transparent consultation. Businesses …

News

Finance Minister Malaj says 2027 fiscal package redistributes taxes rather than raising them

Finance Minister Petrit Malaj has defended Albania’s proposed 2027 fiscal package, saying its overall effect on state revenue will be neutral or slightly negative. He presented the changes to the Economy Committee. Malaj said the package aims to redistribute revenue, protect vulnerable groups and support the middle class. Higher dividend …

News

President Begaj consults Socialist Party and Social Democrats on 2027 local elections as Democrats decline invitation

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has begun consultations with parliamentary parties to set the date for the 2027 local elections. His first meeting was with Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla at the Brigades Palace at around 9:00 a.m. Representatives of the Social Democratic Party, led by Tom Doshi, were …

News

Albanian news agency and German news agency train journalists in digital verification

The Albanian Telegraphic Agency has held professional training with Germany’s Deutsche Presse-Agentur on verifying digital content amid growing challenges from artificial intelligence. Led by Deutsche Presse-Agentur journalist Stefan Voss, the session brought together 11 agency journalists and translators. Participants examined methods for detecting manipulated images and videos and checking the …

News

President Begaj sets May 9, 2027, as date for Albania’s local elections

Albanian President Bajram Begaj has decreed May 9, 2027, as the date for the country’s next local elections. The Electoral Code requires voting to take place on one of four Sundays between April 15 and May 15. During consultations, the Socialist Party, the Social Democratic Party and the State Election …