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Pacolli insists on a broad-based coalition

Chairman of the Alliance New Kosova (AKR), Behgjet Pacolli, reiterated on Friday that a broad-based coalition of all parties representing Albanians in order to avoid current political deadlock. Original post Here

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Kurti’s proposal on overcoming political crisis

Former Vetevendosje leader and candidate for prime minister, Albin Kurti, in an open letter on Friday published his proposal on how to overcome current political deadlock in Kosovo. Original post Here

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Italian authorities held Pristina Mayor in apparent case of mistaken identity

Italian authorities have held on Thursday evening Pristina Mayor Shpend Ahmeti in an apparent case of mistaken identity after landing at Milano Airport when he was heading to watch a football match for the Europa League qualifications between Milan and Macedonian football team Shkendija from Tetovo. Original post Here

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Edita Tahiri: Dialogue resumes once government is elected

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said he expects Pristina-Belgrade dialogue to resume by the end of this month or beginning of next month. But Kosovo caretaker government officials say that EU-facilitated dialogue in Brussels will resume once Kosovo Government is voted. Original post Here

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EX-KLA solider returns home after serving 13-year prison sentence in Serbia

Former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) member Anton Lekaj from Gjakova was in 2005 sentenced to 13 years imprisonment by a court in Belgrade on alleged war crimes against civilian population, after NATO’s deployment in Kosovo in 1999. Original post Here

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Kadri Veseli to be re-elected as Speaker on Thursday, says his deputy

The constitutive session of the Kosovo Assembly will continue on August 24, when the PDK-AAK-Nisma (PAN) coalition will propose Kadri Veseli for speaker, deputy chairman of PDK Enver Hoxhaj tells Express. Original post Here

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EU Office, EULEX, and OSCE condemn the attack on Insajderi journalist, Parim Olluri

EU missions in Kosovo have condemned the attack on Insajderi journalist and director Parim Olluri who on Wednesday evening was physically assaulted by unknown persons while returning home. Original post Here

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Thaci: Last train to a lasting peace

Kosovo President Hashim Thaci, wrote an opinion for the German daily “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” commenting on Kosovo-Serbia dialogue facilitated by the EU. Original post Here

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Investigative journalist Parim Olluri assaulted in Pristina

Kosovo investigative journalist, director of online media Insajderi, Parim Olluri, has been assaulted on Wednesday evening while returning home in Pristina. Original post Here

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Pacolli to enter coalition with PAN, daily reports

The PDK-AAK-Nisma (PAN) reportedly has reached an accord with Behgjet Pacolli’s party, Alliance New Kosova (AKR) to enter coalition and form new institutions. Original post Here

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Week in Review: Between Hope and Despair

While political deadlock feeds despair in some corners of the region, glimmers of hope shine through in others, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. Original post Here

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Albania and Colombia Arrest 17 for Trafficking Women for Sex Work

The EU police agency said 17 people suspected of trafficking women from South America to Europe for sexual exploitation have been arrested in Albania and Colombia. Original post Here

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Rama’s Trump Joke Overshadows Copenhagen Summit

Tirana, Albania (Tirana Times). Prime Minister Edi Rama’s attempt at humor during a European summit turned into a viral spectacle on Thursday, overshadowing the European Political Community’s agenda in Copenhagen and sparking both international scrutiny and domestic criticism. The incident unfolded when Rama, known for injecting jokes into international meetings, …

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Mayoral Election in Capital Stirs Albanian Opposition Hopes of Comeback

The byelection in Tirana, whose Socialist mayor is behind bars, is a precious opportunity for Albania’s opposition – but analysts warn that victory remains unlikely. Original post Here

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Albania Govt Demands Elections in Capital Despite Jailed Mayor’s Court Appeal

Ruling Socialists push for new elections in Tirana as jailed mayor tries to block the move, claiming his dismissal is in breach of his constitutional rights. Original post Here

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Kosovo Visitors Drive Summer Tourism Surge as Italian Arrivals Slip

 Kosovo Visitors Drive Summer Tourism Surge as Italian Arrivals SlipTirana, September 26, 2025 — By Tirana Times Staff Albania’s summer tourism season ended on a stronger note in August, with a surge in visitors from neighboring Kosovo offsetting weak demand from other markets, particularly Italy. According to official data from …

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Fourth estate’s useful idiots

(cases from Albania in which international media should had known better) The cashless dream This July, a Politico-Europe journalist texted me about comments regarding Albanian PM Edi Rama’s recent statement that he would abolish all cash payments by 2030. I replied that this would be a recurring attention-seeking stunt and …

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Digital Rights Review: AI and Growing Uncertainty Over What’s Real Online

BIRN monitoring during August revealed widespread misuse of AI to impersonate citizens and politicians across Southeast Europe, while Albania appointed an AI as a government minister, and Turkey treated an AI chatbot as a criminal for insulting the President. Original post Here

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Albanian Mayor’s Dismissal Seemingly Ends Rising Star’s Career

Erion Veliaj’s dismissal as Tirana mayor appears to have terminated the career of a man once seen as a possible successor to Edi Rama. Original post Here

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Tirana Council Dismisses Mayor Erion Veliaj

Tirana, September 23, 2025 , Tirana Times– The extraordinary dismissal of Tirana’s mayor, Erion Veliaj, by the Municipal Council marks one of the most dramatic political upheavals in Albania’s recent history. Once celebrated as the rising star of the Socialist Party and widely perceived as a potential successor to Prime …

News

Week in Review: Between Hope and Despair

While political deadlock feeds despair in some corners of the region, glimmers of hope shine through in others, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week highlights. Original post Here

News

Albania and Colombia Arrest 17 for Trafficking Women for Sex Work

The EU police agency said 17 people suspected of trafficking women from South America to Europe for sexual exploitation have been arrested in Albania and Colombia. Original post Here

News

Rama’s Trump Joke Overshadows Copenhagen Summit

Tirana, Albania (Tirana Times). Prime Minister Edi Rama’s attempt at humor during a European summit turned into a viral spectacle on Thursday, overshadowing the European Political Community’s agenda in Copenhagen and sparking both international scrutiny and domestic criticism. The incident unfolded when Rama, known for injecting jokes into international meetings, …

News

Mayoral Election in Capital Stirs Albanian Opposition Hopes of Comeback

The byelection in Tirana, whose Socialist mayor is behind bars, is a precious opportunity for Albania’s opposition – but analysts warn that victory remains unlikely. Original post Here

News

Albania Govt Demands Elections in Capital Despite Jailed Mayor’s Court Appeal

Ruling Socialists push for new elections in Tirana as jailed mayor tries to block the move, claiming his dismissal is in breach of his constitutional rights. Original post Here

News

Kosovo Visitors Drive Summer Tourism Surge as Italian Arrivals Slip

 Kosovo Visitors Drive Summer Tourism Surge as Italian Arrivals SlipTirana, September 26, 2025 — By Tirana Times Staff Albania’s summer tourism season ended on a stronger note in August, with a surge in visitors from neighboring Kosovo offsetting weak demand from other markets, particularly Italy. According to official data from …

News

Fourth estate’s useful idiots

(cases from Albania in which international media should had known better) The cashless dream This July, a Politico-Europe journalist texted me about comments regarding Albanian PM Edi Rama’s recent statement that he would abolish all cash payments by 2030. I replied that this would be a recurring attention-seeking stunt and …

News

Digital Rights Review: AI and Growing Uncertainty Over What’s Real Online

BIRN monitoring during August revealed widespread misuse of AI to impersonate citizens and politicians across Southeast Europe, while Albania appointed an AI as a government minister, and Turkey treated an AI chatbot as a criminal for insulting the President. Original post Here

News

Albanian Mayor’s Dismissal Seemingly Ends Rising Star’s Career

Erion Veliaj’s dismissal as Tirana mayor appears to have terminated the career of a man once seen as a possible successor to Edi Rama. Original post Here

News

Tirana Council Dismisses Mayor Erion Veliaj

Tirana, September 23, 2025 , Tirana Times– The extraordinary dismissal of Tirana’s mayor, Erion Veliaj, by the Municipal Council marks one of the most dramatic political upheavals in Albania’s recent history. Once celebrated as the rising star of the Socialist Party and widely perceived as a potential successor to Prime …