Albania Slips Into Electoral Autocracy
V Dem places Albania in a category dominated by African states, with Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina the only Western Balkan countries in the same group. Tirana Times, March 23, 2026 – Albania has been placed in the category of electoral autocracy in the latest Democracy Report 2026 by the …
Middle East Crisis: Balkan Countries Act to Ease Spike in Oil Prices
As oil and gas prices surge amid the Iran war, Balkan countries are pondering ways to reduce the impact on households and businesses. Original post Here
Timeline: Albania’s High-Level Corruption Cases Raise Political Temperature
The controversy over Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku has put the spotlight on prosecution efforts to target high-level corruption – but she is only the latest senior politician to face charges. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 23, 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 Opposition Protest Turns Violent
Democratic Party leader and former President Sali Berisha injured during clashes. Tirana Times, March 22, 2026 — Albania’s latest national opposition protest in Tirana, which ended in violent clashes between protesters and police, exposed not only rising anger against Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government but also a broader crisis of …
US Targets Iran Linked Cyber Network as Albania Emerges as Key Victim
Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – The United States has moved to dismantle a cyber network linked to Iran’s intelligence apparatus, seizing four domains used for hacking operations, disinformation campaigns and threats, in a case that places Albania at the center of a broader geopolitical confrontation. The U.S. Department of …
Albania Draws a Red Line on Iran
Parliament’s decision to label Tehran a state sponsor of terrorism formalizes a break years in the making and reflects a broad Albanian consensus that Iran has become a direct security threat Tirana Times, March 18, 2026 – Albania has taken one of its toughest political steps yet against Iran, with …
Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans
TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …
Albanian MPs Adopt Resolution Declaring Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’
Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here
Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage
by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …
Albania will face San Marino on Tuesday evening in their second Group C1 match of the UEFA Nations League. The Red and Blacks are clear favorites to win the game. Head coach Rolando Maran appeared at the pre-match press conference alongside captain Berat Djimshiti. He stressed the importance of taking …
Minister of Interior Ervin Demo met today with the European Union Ambassador to Albania, Sofia Moreira de Sousa, to discuss stronger cooperation in security and Albania’s priorities in the European integration process. The meeting focused on EU support for strengthening the capacities of the State Police, combating organized crime and …
Albania is showcasing its innovation ecosystem at Bits & Pretzels 2026, one of Europe’s leading startup and innovation events, in Munich, Germany. This year, Albania is participating as the partner country. The country is represented by 17 startups from Albania, Kosovo and the diaspora. They are presenting their success stories …
The World Bank, through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), will provide a $3 million grant to prepare an integrated tourism ecosystem development project in Albania. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Blendi Gonxhja announced today that the government had approved the grant agreement with the World Bank. …
Representatives of the National Institute of Cultural Heritage (IKTK) met with Baba Mondi, the World Leader of the Bektashi Order, at the World Bektashi Headquarters. The meeting focused on institutional cooperation to preserve, conserve and restore cultural heritage sites associated with the Bektashi community. During the talks, the participants focused …
Monsignor Rrok Mirdita, a prominent figure of the Albanian Catholic clergy, was born on September 28, 1939, in Klezna, near Ulqin, Montenegro. He studied theology and philosophy in Zadar and Zagreb, Croatia. He was ordained a priest on July 5, 1965. Mirdita later moved to New York to serve the …
Albania offers visitors far more than typical tourist souvenirs. Traditional flavors, handmade crafts and historical objects allow travellers to take home a piece of the country’s culture and identity. French travel media outlet “Generation Voyage” highlights several authentic products that visitors can discover in Tirana and Kruja. At Tirana International …
Deputy Prime Minister Albana Koçiu met Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense Yohei Wakabayashi during his visit to Tirana. Wakabayashi became the first senior Japanese Defense Ministry official to visit Albania, according to the Japanese Embassy in Tirana. At the start of the meeting, he expressed regret over the damage caused …
Lake Prespa has received 500,000 carp fingerlings produced in Zvezda, Korça. The initiative aims to strengthen the aquatic ecosystem, protect biodiversity and support local fishing. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Andis Salla said the fingerlings would help restore aquatic fauna and enrich Prespa’s natural resources. Meanwhile, the initiative aims to …
The Shiroka–Zogaj road along Lake Shkodër forms part of Albania’s efforts to improve tourism infrastructure. The government investment strengthens links between tourism offerings in Albania and Montenegro. It also facilitates travel between the two countries. Prime Minister Edi Rama shared images of the road on Monday morning. He described the …