Albanian PM Unveils New Govt, Initiates Tirana Mayor’s Dismissal
Rama announces new cabinet and calls fresh elections for the Tirana mayoralty – seven months after Mayor Erion Veliaj was arrested on charges of corruption and money-laundering. Original post Here
Albania’s Public Broadcaster Struggling With ‘Catastrophic’ Debts, Head Says
The new head of RTSH, Eni Vasili, admits to BIRN that the company is facing a dire financial situation – after several contributors revealed they had not been paid for months. Original post Here
Pay Delays Deepen Concern over Albanian Public Broadcaster’s Finances
Outside programme contributors to Albania’s indebted public broadcaster say they haven’t paid for months and are in the dark as to when they will receive the money they are owed. Original post Here
China Index: Beijing’s Influence Waning in Balkans – Except Bosnia
The latest China Index analysis, published by a civil society network that includes BIRN, suggests that Beijing’s influence declined in most of the Balkans in 2024, with only Bosnia and Herzegovina bucking that trend. Original post Here
Clan Capitalism: Albania’s Privileged Investors and Their Seaside Villas
Instead of stimulating investment in agriculture or energy, critics say a 2015 ‘special law’ on strategic investment in Albania has simply made it easier and more profitable for certain privileged businesspeople to build luxury villas on the coast. Original post Here
Albania’s TikTok Ban Widely Flouted, Even by Allies of PM
Halfway into a 12-month ban on TikTok in Albania, anecdotal evidence suggests the prohibition is being widely flouted while the government remains silent on promised filters to weed out ‘undesirable’ content. Original post Here
Week in Review: Deadlocks, Unexpected Twists and New Approaches
Our selection of Premium stories this week looks at the challenges facing the region as the summer season winds down and business-as-usual resumes. Original post Here
Kosovo Court Imposes New Ban on Parliament Over Deputy Speaker Logjam
Court again bans MPs from forming institutions deriving from the February elections while it considers a complaint about the failure to elect a deputy speaker from the Serb community, as guaranteed in the constitution. Original post Here
Ambassador Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi: Saudi Arabia Cultural Week, a Bridge of Communication Between the Two Countries
On the eve of Saudi Arabia’s Cultural Week, which will take place in Tirana from September 16–20 at the Palace of Congresses, the Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the Republic of Albania, Mr. Faisal bin Ghazi Hafzi, through a press statement, praised this event as …
Dirty Water: Albania’s Polluted Rivers Need Cleaning Now, Activist Says
When Denisa Kasa returned from abroad and saw the state of Albania’s filthy waterways, she was shocked. Now she has formed an independent collective of young people dedicated to the ‘dream of clean rivers’. Original post Here
The Union of Student Councils and the Embassy of Croatia in Albania, in cooperation with the “Support for EU Integration” (EUIS) project, held a discussion in Tirana today on the role of young people in building a common European future. Croatian Ambassador to Albania Zlatko Kramarić, President of the Union …
The Centralized Purchasing Operator (OBP) and the European Academy of Law (ERA) have signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen the professional skills of public procurement officials and align Albanian practices with European Union standards. OBP Director Jonaid Myzyri signed the agreement, which provides for ERA support in assessing the training …
Albania aims to attract new investments in the green economy, renewable energy, waste and water management, and sustainable tourism. Minister of Environment Sofjan Jaupaj met today with Prince Naif bin Abdullah bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and a delegation of investors from Saudi Arabia and partner countries. The meeting …
President Bajram Begaj paid an official visit to the United Arab Emirates, marking the first visit by an Albanian president to the country. The visit reaffirmed Albania and the UAE’s commitment to strengthening their future-oriented partnership. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan received President Begaj during the visit. …
Socialist Party political leader for Tirana County Taulant Balla congratulated students, teachers and parents on the start of the new school year during a visit to a school in Kavajë. At the “Charles Telford Erickson” vocational high school in Golem, Kavajë, Balla described Albania’s PISA 2025 results as good news …
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja met today with Prince Naif bin Abdullah bin Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and a delegation of investors from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Syria. They discussed investment opportunities and strategic partnerships in Albania. The talks focused on development projects in tourism, culture …
Prime Minister Edi Rama traveled to Italy today to attend the inauguration of Albania’s Honorary Consulate in Naples. Honorary Consul Giuseppe Lettieri will lead the consulate, which will cover the Campania region. It will serve as a reference point for the Albanian community and support the delivery of consular services. …
State Police Director General Skender Hita on Monday wished all students well on the start of the new school year. Hita stressed that the State Police will work to ensure that students’ journey is safe. He emphasized that when it comes to children’s safety, there will be no compromise and …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has further intensified his rhetoric in the debate over judges’ salaries and the way their requested pay increase should be implemented. In another reaction on the X platform, Rama rejected the claim that judges could directly obtain from the State Treasury the funds related to their …
Another attempt to smuggle cocaine into Albania through the Port of Durrës has been foiled by police. Within one month, authorities have uncovered three attempts to traffic narcotics through the port. As part of the operation codenamed “Anchor 3,” police seized 41 kilograms and 350 grams of cocaine, with an …