Letter from Brussels: Is a Hopeful Breeze Blowing Through the EU’s ‘Waiting Room’?
Brussels has already gone cold on a scheme to allow some aspirant countries like Albania and Serbia second-tier membership – but that doesn’t mean that other creative approaches to European enlargement are off the table. Original post Here
Albania’s TikTok Ban Violated Free Expression, Court Rules
Journalists’ union welcomes ruling that says government-imposed one-year ban on social media platform was a ‘violation of freedom of expression and freedom of the press’. Original post Here
Albanian Parliament Under Cyberattack Linked to Iran
Tirana Times, March 10, 2026 – A cyberattack targeting Albania’s Parliament has revived one of the country’s most serious national security concerns, underscoring the return of a threat that Albanian institutions have come to associate with Iran linked retaliation. The breach, confirmed by Parliament on Tuesday, involved unauthorized access to …
Belinda Balluku: Albanian PM’s Loyal Ally at Centre of Political Firestorm
The criminal charges facing former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku have dominated headlines in Albania for months – prompting her boss, Edi Rama, to pick a fight with the judiciary. Original post Here
Parliament Blocks Arrest Bid for Former Deputy Prime Minister Balluku
Shielding Balluku Could Cost Albania More Than a Court Case. Tirana Times, March 09, 2026 – Albania’s ruling Socialist majority moved Monday to block the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, in a decision expected to be ratified by parliament this week and one that is rapidly becoming …
Albanian Ruling Party Refuses to Support Lifting of Former Deputy PM’s Immunity
Ahead of a vote in parliament on Thursday, the ruling Socialists reject a prosecution request to support lifting the immunity of dismissed former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here
Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 9, 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
Do the Balkans really want EU membership?
By Daniel Serwer Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – While all eyes are on the Iran war, subtle but important changes are taking place with respect to the Balkans. I think the two most important are these: The Trump Administration is abandoning state-building and instead wants local people to make the basic …
Marx on the Beach
By Zef Preci Tirana Times, March 06, 2026 – Two centuries ago, Karl Marx offered a blunt description of how capitalism is sometimes born and consolidated: through what he called “primitive accumulation,” a historical process—often violent—by which people are separated from their land and productive assets, while wealth is concentrated …
Week in Review: Friends, Foes and Chocolate Thieves
From European Union accession hopes to ongoing corruption investigations, our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the political wheeling and dealing going on behind the scenes in the region. Original post Here
OSCE Presence in Albania Ambassador Michel Tarran met High Inspector of Justice Artur Metani to discuss recent developments in the judicial system and issues related to the inspector’s mandate. According to the OSCE Presence, the talks focused on the role of the High Inspector of Justice in ensuring accountability in …
The National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble announced the 10 winners of the Tish Daija Music Creativity Competition in the “Chamber Music” and “A Cappella Choir” categories. The competition marks the 100th anniversary of composer Tish Daija’s birth. With support from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, …
Health and Social Welfare Minister Klodiana Spahiu visited the Laç Health Centre in Kurbin. She called for stronger coordination between primary healthcare and hospital services to provide faster care closer to residents. Spahiu said better coordination between health structures would improve patient referrals. She also stressed the importance of direct …
German Cultural Week 2026 brought music, contemporary art, exhibitions, traditions and German gastronomy to Tirana from October 2 to 6. The five-day programme offered audiences in the Albanian capital opportunities to experience different aspects of German culture. The activities also created spaces for cultural exchange between the two countries. Meanwhile, …
“Wonders of Arbëria” returns to the stage of Albania’s National Theatre of Opera, Ballet and Folk Ensemble. The performance features the National Ensemble of Folk Songs and Dances in cooperation with the ‘Gurra e Kurbinit’ ensemble. Arbëria is the historical name used for Albania during the Middle Ages. The show …
Albania’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.9% in September 2026, up from 2.4% in the same month last year. Consumer prices also increased by 0.4% from August. According to Consumer Price Index data published on October 8, food and non-alcoholic beverages made the largest contribution to annual inflation. They accounted …
A new online service allows taxpayers in Albania to obtain a vehicle possession certificate through e-Albania. The government services platform is available in Albanian and English. Applicants no longer need to visit an office in person. The General Directorate of Taxation has published the steps for applying online. After completing …
Justice Minister Toni Gogu met European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection Michael McGrath to discuss justice reform and Albania’s path towards European Union membership. The talks focused on strengthening the rule of law and consolidating Albania’s justice reform. Gogu said they also discussed the …
Defence Minister Ermal Nufi met his Turkish counterpart Yaşar Guler in Ankara on Thursday to discuss stronger strategic cooperation in defence and security. They also discussed concrete projects in areas of mutual interest. Nufi said Albania and Turkey share a consolidated partnership based on strong historical and human ties and …
Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha attended a conference on Trans-European Transport Corridor VIII in Sofia, Bulgaria, organised by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova. The conference followed a ministerial meeting that Albania hosted in Tirana in February. Hoxha said the Tirana meeting established a shared political vision for the corridor. He …