Week in Review: The Wheel of Fortune
Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the changing fortunes, power dynamics and neighbourly relations of countries and actors in South-east Europe. Original post Here
Parliament Blocks Balluku Arrest and Puts Justice on Trial
TIRANA, March 12, 2026 – Albania’s Parliament, dominated by Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party, has refused to authorize the arrest of former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, blocking a request by the Special Prosecution Against Corruption and Organized Crime, SPAK, and triggering one of the gravest confrontations yet between …
UN Report Spotlights Mistreatment During Childbirth in Western Balkans
Survey of women who gave birth recently reveals a “pervasive yet often hidden crisis of obstetric violence” and a widespread dissatisfaction with medical care. Original post Here
Albanian Parliament Votes Against Lifting Former Deputy PM’s Immunity
Ruling Socialist Party uses its majority in parliament to vote down a prosecution request to lift former Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku’s immunity, allowing for her arrest. Original post Here
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
Prime Minister Edi Rama met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Tirana on Monday. Sa’ar praised Rama’s support for Israel’s security and his firm stance against antisemitism and terrorism. In a statement on X, Sa’ar said the two officials held an in-depth discussion on strengthening bilateral relations and the …
Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and improving the investment climate are essential to Albania’s EU accession process, EU Ambassador to Albania Sofia Moreira de Sousa said on Monday. Moreira de Sousa met with Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj to discuss Albania’s EU integration, SME development and ways to …
Interior Minister Ervin Demo met with Michael Granoff, chairman of the board of the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF), on Monday to discuss expanding cooperation with central and local institutions. Demo praised the foundation’s contribution to Albania’s development, highlighting its projects in education, technology, entrepreneurship, tourism, cultural heritage and local economic …
Parliament Speaker Niko Peleshi said on Monday that cooperation between Albania and Greece remains essential for regional stability, economic growth and the Western Balkans’ European future. Addressing the Balkan Strategic Cooperation Forum in Tirana, Peleshi highlighted the partnership between the two countries, Greece’s support for Albania’s EU integration and opportunities …
Albania’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs presented Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar and his delegation with historical and archival documents documenting Albanians’ efforts to protect and save Jews during the Holocaust. The exhibition featured official correspondence, travel documents and diplomatic records that shed light on acts of courage, solidarity …
High Court President Sokol Sadushi met with the Netherlands’ new ambassador to Albania, Marleen Monster, on Monday to discuss judicial reforms, the court’s progress and ways to strengthen institutional cooperation. Monster praised the progress made by Albania’s justice institutions and reaffirmed the Netherlands’ commitment to supporting ongoing reforms. She also …
Defense Minister Ermal Nufi visited the Professional Military Training Center in Bunavi, Vlorë, on Monday to meet young recruits, cadets, students, instructors and center officials. Accompanied by Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Arben Kingji, Nufi highlighted the center’s role in preparing the next generation …
The RTSH Symphony Orchestra will perform works by Albanian composers alongside international classical masterpieces on October 15 at the Ferdinand Deda Hall of Albanian Radio and Television. Maestro Eno Koço will conduct the concert, which brings together different musical styles and periods. The programme features works by Aleksandër Peçi, Johann …
Albanian Interior Minister Ervin Demo highlighted the strategic partnership between Albania and Greece at the Balkan Strategic Cooperation Forum, citing progress in trade, regional development and security. Trade between the two countries has exceeded 1 billion euros, while more than 300 Greek companies operate in Albania. Demo identified further opportunities …
Albanian Foreign Minister Ferit Hoxha and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar signed a general cooperation agreement in Tirana to strengthen ties between the two countries. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in the economy, security, technology, agriculture, energy, healthcare, education and tourism. Hoxha highlighted opportunities for Israeli investment in …