Monday Briefing from the Balkans: October 6, 2025
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
Week in Review: Between Hope and Despair
While political deadlock feeds despair in some corners of the region, glimmers of hope shine through in others, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. Original post Here
Albania and Colombia Arrest 17 for Trafficking Women for Sex Work
The EU police agency said 17 people suspected of trafficking women from South America to Europe for sexual exploitation have been arrested in Albania and Colombia. Original post Here
Rama’s Trump Joke Overshadows Copenhagen Summit
Tirana, Albania (Tirana Times). Prime Minister Edi Rama’s attempt at humor during a European summit turned into a viral spectacle on Thursday, overshadowing the European Political Community’s agenda in Copenhagen and sparking both international scrutiny and domestic criticism. The incident unfolded when Rama, known for injecting jokes into international meetings, …
Mayoral Election in Capital Stirs Albanian Opposition Hopes of Comeback
The byelection in Tirana, whose Socialist mayor is behind bars, is a precious opportunity for Albania’s opposition – but analysts warn that victory remains unlikely. Original post Here
Albania Govt Demands Elections in Capital Despite Jailed Mayor’s Court Appeal
Ruling Socialists push for new elections in Tirana as jailed mayor tries to block the move, claiming his dismissal is in breach of his constitutional rights. Original post Here
Kosovo Visitors Drive Summer Tourism Surge as Italian Arrivals Slip
Kosovo Visitors Drive Summer Tourism Surge as Italian Arrivals SlipTirana, September 26, 2025 — By Tirana Times Staff Albania’s summer tourism season ended on a stronger note in August, with a surge in visitors from neighboring Kosovo offsetting weak demand from other markets, particularly Italy. According to official data from …
Fourth estate’s useful idiots
(cases from Albania in which international media should had known better) The cashless dream This July, a Politico-Europe journalist texted me about comments regarding Albanian PM Edi Rama’s recent statement that he would abolish all cash payments by 2030. I replied that this would be a recurring attention-seeking stunt and …
Digital Rights Review: AI and Growing Uncertainty Over What’s Real Online
BIRN monitoring during August revealed widespread misuse of AI to impersonate citizens and politicians across Southeast Europe, while Albania appointed an AI as a government minister, and Turkey treated an AI chatbot as a criminal for insulting the President. Original post Here
Albanian Mayor’s Dismissal Seemingly Ends Rising Star’s Career
Erion Veliaj’s dismissal as Tirana mayor appears to have terminated the career of a man once seen as a possible successor to Edi Rama. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama arrived in Vlora on Monday afternoon. Mayor Brunilda Mersini welcomed him to the city. Rama first visited “Aulona” Park along the city’s main boulevard. Accompanied by Mersini, he inspected the former park area, which authorities plan to transform into a green and recreational public space. During …
The Academy of Sciences of Albania commemorated academician Aleks Buda on the anniversary of his birth. It honored him as one of the most distinguished figures in Albanian historiography and academic life. Aleks Buda was born on September 7, 1911, into a noble and patriotic family in Elbasan. His father, …
Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament Klodiana Spahiu, who has also been nominated as Minister of Health and Social Welfare, met today with Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy and the US government’s Special Representative for Global Partnerships. Spahiu and Zampolli discussed the strong relations between Albania …
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha met today with Paolo Zampolli, the United States Special Envoy for Global Partnerships. The meeting focused on ways to deepen the strategic partnership between Albania and the United States. The two sides paid particular attention to expanding economic cooperation, increasing trade and …
US President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships in the Balkans, Paolo Zampolli, said Monday that the Albanian people should decide whether to establish a sovereign Bektashi state in Tirana. During his visit to Albania, Zampolli met with representatives of the Bektashi community and Albanian political leaders. He also …
Socialist Party Parliamentary Group Chairman Taulant Balla met today with US President Donald J. Trump’s Special Envoy for Global Partnerships, Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, at the Albanian Parliament. During the meeting, Balla and Zampolli discussed the strong relationship between Albania and the United States. They also exchanged views on regional and …
Prime Minister Edi Rama shared today an excerpt from his interview with journalist Rudina Xhunga, who held an extensive conversation with the prime minister on her “Flasim Shqip” podcast. In a video posted on social media, Rama shared part of his story about his school years. He recalled an experience …
For the 16th consecutive Saturday, Albanian activists living in Lombardy gathered in central Milan carrying red-and-black flags and banners bearing the slogan “Albania Is Not for Sale.” The protest is part of the so-called “Flamingo Revolution,” a movement launched in Albania on May 23 against the construction of a luxury …
The Chair of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, today received Ambassador Paolo Zampolli, Special Envoy of United States President Donald J. Trump for Global Partnerships, at the Presidency of the Albanian Parliament. Balla said that during the meeting, the two sides discussed the excellent relations between Albania and …
20.1% of Albania’s population is under the age of 18. This means that around one in five residents of the country belongs to this age group. Compared with other countries in the region, Albania is in a relatively favorable position. Montenegro leads with 21.8% of its population under the age …