Albanian PM Accused of Undermining Special Prosecution’s Independence
After Edi Rama criticised the Special Prosecution over the arrest for alleged corruption of his political ally, Tirana’s mayor, the country’s top judicial body delivered a stinging rebuke. Original post Here
Erion Veliaj, Rising Star in Albania, Felled by Corruption Charges
The mayor of Tirana was once tipped to be Albania’s next prime minister. Now he’s behind bars after being arrested on graft charges, possibly facing a very different future. Original post Here
Public Perceptions of Corruption in Balkans Continue to Worsen: Report
Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index makes grim reading for most Balkan countries, with Kosovo and Albania as rare exceptions to a worsening trend. Original post Here
Tirana Mayor Arrested on Corruption and Money-Laundering Charges
The mayor of Albania’s capital, Erion Veliaj, a key figure in the ruling Socialist Party, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of corruption and money-laundering. Original post Here
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj arrested on corruption charges
TIRANA, Feb. 10, 2025 – The mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, was arrested Monday afternoon by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). Judicial police officers entered Veliaj’s office at around 2 p.m. and escorted him to a detention facility. An arrest warrant has also …
Vetvendosje wins Kosovo elections, loses comfortable majority
Feb 10, 2025 The Vetvendosje Party led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti has claimed victory in the round of general elections held in Kosovo on February 9. With around 90 percent of the ballots counted, VV has reached about 41 percent whereas the opposition parties achieved lower figures of 22 …
Analysis: Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj’s arrest on corruption charges likely to have major political implications for ruling party
TIRANA, Feb. 10, 2025 – The arrest on Monday of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj on corruption charges has sent shockwaves through Albania’s political landscape, with major potential implications for the ruling Socialist Party just three months ahead of parliamentary elections. Veliaj, long regarded as a close ally of Prime Minister …
Albania Opposition Leader Hires Trump Campaign Manager
Democratic Party says it is ‘honoured’ that Chris LaCivita, co-manager of Donald Trump’s successful campaign for the US presidency, will lead the party’s campaign for the May parliamentary elections. Original post Here
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania organizes the event “International Arabian Leopard Day”
Saudi Embassy Leads Efforts to Protect the Endangered Arabian Leopard The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania, in collaboration with the Municipality of Tirana and the Zoological Garden, took a leading role in raising awareness about the conservation of the Arabian leopard—one of the world’s rarest species. …
Bird-Hunting Tourism Threatens to Wipe Out Balkan Quails
Routine use of illegal ‘lures’ by visiting European hunters who love to shoot migrating birds in the Balkans is pushing some species to the brink – while weak policing allows the crime to continue unchecked, conservationists warn. Original post Here
Albania and Kosovo applauded the Trump administration’s military operation against Venezuela’s regime and the ousting of Nicolas Maduro, while other states in the region initially remained silent or called for calm and restraint. Original post Here
By Genc Pollo Tirana, 02 January 2026 – Today’s decision by the European Union to grant “roaming like at home” to Ukraine and Moldova deserves praise. It is a practical citizen-centered step that immediately lowers costs improves connectivity and makes Europe tangible in everyday life. Yet the non inclusion of …
Tirana’s EU accession process is running in top gear – but worryingly, there’s no sign this is being matched with a democratic deepening at home. Original post Here
As Albania enters 2026, the country stands at a political and institutional crossroads shaped decisively by the shocks of 2025. What initially appeared to be a year of electoral routine and managed stability evolved instead into the most serious confrontation between executive power and the justice system since the launch …
The latest Saudi action in Yemen should be understood not as escalation for its own sake, but as part of a broader strategic approach that combines deterrence with diplomacy, aimed at safeguarding regional stability and preserving internationally recognized state authority. Riyadh’s move comes in response to concrete security concerns arising …
As 2026 begins, we look back on some of the most important investigations published by BIRN in its 20th anniversary year – from brutal migrant-smuggling gangs and arms deals with Israel to state surveillance of protesters and online frauds. Original post Here
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The recently-passed Western Balkans Democracy and Prosperity Act shows that some US lawmakers still care about the region. But it doesn’t mean that Donald Trump is going to tell Aleksandar Vucic to be nicer to student protesters. Original post Here
Tirana Times PRISTINA, Kosovo December 29, 2025. Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti secured another clear electoral victory in Kosovo’s repeat parliamentary election on Sunday, with his left wing Vetëvendosje movement significantly expanding its lead over rivals but once again failing to secure the parliamentary majority needed to govern alone, according …
Will Parliament Lift the Deputy Prime Minister’s Immunity? Tirana Times, December 28 th , 2025. Albania has entered one of the most serious institutional confrontations since the launch of its justice reform, as the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK) formally requested parliamentary authorization to arrest Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of …