Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion
By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance have become more pronounced, and in a synthesized way this is reflected in the increasing number of MPs of the ruling party from one mandate to …
Week in Review: Surprises and Standoffs
As the year draws towards its end, our Balkan Insight Premium stories show that there is no shortage of political surprises, unexpected twists and new standoffs across the region. Original post Here
How Albanians in America Lobbied for Freedom Back Home
Albanian-American writer Fron Nahzi’s new book explains how the Albanian diaspora used its newfound freedom in the United States to campaign for a range of nationalist causes. Original post Here
Rebuilt Housing Estate for Albanian Quake Survivors Hosts Just One Family
The earthquake that hit Albania in November 2019 left many families homeless. But a rural housing estate built to accommodate some of them remains almost empty due to problems with infrastructure and insecure terrain. Original post Here
Albania’s Political Absurdity:Doomsday – The Day Albania “Lost” Its Deputy PM
O tempora, o mores. After Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku faced criminal charges, and after the court suspended her from office and banned her from leaving the country, what one would normally expect is either her immediate resignation or her immediate dismissal by Prime …
The Limits of Spectacle Diplomacy in the UK–Albania Migration Row
The clash between Edi Rama and Shabana Mahmood over the fate of 700 Albanian families in the UK exposes a deeper truth about modern diplomacy: visibility is not the same as influence. When the Home Secretary singled out Albanian families while announcing sweeping asylum reforms, she was not improvising. She …
Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility
Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test …
Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections
By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times). Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for describing the country’s May 11 parliamentary elections as “free and fair,” arguing that her assessment contradicts the findings of international election monitors. In a statement delivered …
Week in Review: TikTokcracy, Labyrinths and an Anniversary
New leaders, old challenges, the threat of ‘TikTokracy’ and – not least – a look at the Dayton Peace Accords thirty years later, are all themes that preoccupy our selection of Premium stories this week. Original post Here
Albanian PM Condemns Deputy’s Suspension by Court as ‘Brutal Interference’
Edi Rama slated the court decision suspending Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku while she faces a graft probe – and threatened to take the matter to the Constitutional Court. Original post Here
Albania State Police Director General Skënder Hita congratulated students on the start of the new academic year. He said the police will step up its efforts to ensure their safety and provide a calm environment for study. Hita said the State Police will work with students to prevent any activity …
State Minister for Parliamentary Relations Erjona Ismaili met a delegation from the United States House of Representatives on Monday. They discussed ways to modernise Albania’s legislative process and strengthen parliamentary institutions. The talks also covered technology and artificial intelligence. The participants discussed their use to improve transparency and efficiency. They …
Assembly of Albania Speaker Niko Peleshi met a delegation from the United States House of Representatives on Monday. Republican Representative Vern Buchanan of Florida led the delegation. United States Ambassador to Albania Eric Wendt also attended the meeting. The talks focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between Albania and the …
The life and work of Albanian filmmaker Viktor Stratobërdha (1925–2000) took centre stage at a film event in Tirana. The event examined the career of an artist whose creative work lasted only 13 months before the communist regime cut it short. The Authority for Information on Former State Security Documents …
Sulejman Delvina was born in Delvina on October 5, 1871. He was a political activist and patriot. He later became prime minister of the government formed by the Congress of Lushnja in 1920. Delvina began his studies at the Zosimea Gymnasium in Ioannina. He later continued his education in Istanbul. …
The Kosovo Assembly has approved, in its first reading, a draft law proposed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) to amend and supplement the Law on the Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office. The draft law was approved with 91 votes in favour, none against and no abstentions. …
The head of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, said that the parliamentary majority will vote on Thursday to approve the territorial reform. Speaking to reporters, Balla said the country needs stronger municipalities with higher revenues, while calling on the Democratic Party to take part in discussions on the …
Speaker of Parliament Niko Peleshi welcomed a delegation from the United States House of Representatives to the Albanian Parliament, led by Congressman Vern Buchanan, Chairman of the House Democracy Partnership. US Ambassador to Albania Eric Wendt also attended the meeting. Discussions focused on further strengthening the strategic relationship between Albania …
Ilir Panda has been elected the new President of Albania’s Supreme Court. The judges of the Supreme Court unanimously voted in favour of Panda, who was the only candidate in the race. Fourteen judges took part in the vote, all voting in favour of his candidacy. Panda will lead the …
Begaj: Integrity and professionalism of magistrates will determine the success of the justice system
President of the Republic Bajram Begaj attended the opening ceremony of the 2026–2027 academic year at the School of Magistrates, where he addressed the new generation of magistrates, candidates for prosecutors and judges, state attorneys and judicial assistants. Begaj stressed the importance of integrity and professionalism among the new generation …