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Behind the Façade: What’s Fueling Albania’s Real Estate Boom?

In recent years, Albania—particularly its capital, Tirana—has witnessed a real estate boom of unprecedented proportions. Tower cranes dominate the skyline, new developments sprout at every corner, and record-breaking building permits have become the norm. At first glance, this might seem like a sign of economic vitality. But beneath the surface …

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A Taste of Friendship: Turkish Diplomat Bridges Two Nations Through the Language of Food

Edibe Sinem Atay’s new cookbook on Turkish and Albanian cuisine is more than a culinary collection — it is a heartfelt celebration of history, identity, and shared heritage. TIRANA, May 24, 2025.When diplomacy meets the warmth of the kitchen, something deeply human and enduring is born. Edibe Sinem Atay, a …

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Tirana Pride Highlights Albania’s LGBT+ Progress Amid EU Hopes

TIRANA, May 25, 2025— Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Albania’s capital on Saturday during the annual Pride Parade, demanding equal rights, legal recognition, and dignity for the LGBT+ community under the motto “Side by Side.” The event, marked by colorful banners and strong calls for inclusion, received …

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Albania’s Vanishing Electorate: Emigration, Not a Boycott, Powered the Socialist Victory

TIRANA, Albania — Albania’s ruling Socialist Party secured another sweeping victory in the May 11 parliamentary elections, but analysts say the most significant result wasn’t who won—but who wasn’t there to vote. Official data from the Central Election Commission indicate that at least 200,000 fewer people voted in 2025 compared …

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Fight to Protect Albania’s ‘Wild River’ Isn’t Over, Say Environmental Prize-Winners

Activists Olsi Nika and Besjana Guri tell BIRN they see their prestigious international prize as fresh motivation to continue their campaign to save one of Europe’s last wild rivers from development. Original post Here

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Crime Crackdown Exposes Albania’s Deep State-Organized Crime Links

Joint Italy-Albania Crime Crackdown Exposes Deep Ties Between Organized Crime and State Structures in Albania TIRANA, Albania ,Tirana Times May 21 — A sweeping anti-drug operation conducted jointly by Italian and Albanian authorities has laid bare what critics describe as the entrenched links between organized crime and political power in …

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Narco-Politics and the Erosion of Democracy in Albania

In a country where democratic institutions are already fragile, a sprawling Italian anti-mafia investigation has thrown Albania’s political establishment into turmoil. At its heart lies the so-called Troplini Group, a narco-network accused of trafficking heroin and cocaine from Latin America through the Port of Durrës, laundering profits via the country’s …

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Italy-Albania Police Operation Nets 40 Suspected Drug Traffickers

Joint police investigation results in arrest of 40 members of three gangs allegedly involved in cocaine and heroin trafficking and money laundering, including one gang based in Durres, Albania. Original post Here

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Thwarting Opposition Hopes, Albania’s Socialists Win Big Abroad

Albania’s well-organised ruling party worked hard to mobilise voters abroad for an election that for the first time featured postal ballots. It paid off. Original post Here

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Tirana Emerges as Strategic Hub at FII PRIORITY Europe Summit

TIRANA, Albania Tirana Times , May 20,   — For the first time, Albania hosted the prestigious Future Investment Initiative (FII) Europe Summit, drawing a constellation of global leaders, tech innovators, and major investors to its capital. Coinciding with the 6th European Political Community (EPC) meeting, the summit positioned Tirana as …

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Rama Forces UK’s Farage Onto Backfoot Over Albanian Criminals

British far-right leader fails to land a punch with Albania’s prime minister in fiery row on social media over the number of Albanians held in UK jails. Original post Here

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NATO’s Defence Spending Plan Poses Challenge for Balkan States

The Western military alliance’s new national spending benchmark on defence and security may cause problems for smaller and poorer NATO member states in the Balkans who cannot afford 5 per cent of GDP. Original post Here

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Rule of Law or Rule by Law? Albania’s EU Path Faces a Crisis of Credibility

Jerina Zaloshnja As Albania accelerates the formal process of European Union accession—opening negotiation chapters at a pace that seems to outstrip democratic reforms—it faces an urgent and unavoidable truth: a country cannot genuinely integrate into the EU without first building a functioning rule-of-law society. No volume of technical chapters opened …

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Balkan Countries ‘Failing to Enforce Freedom of Information Laws’: Report

Freedom of Information laws in the six Western Balkan countries may look robust, but public institutions all too often find ways to obstruct transparency, a new BIRN report has found. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 30, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

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Leaving Albania, the Country’s Youth Seek a More Stable Future

An inability to plan for the future is driving many young, educated Albanians to leave their homeland; experts say the government will have to address the trend sooner or later. Original post Here

News
Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

News
Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

News
BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News
Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here

News

Rama Forces UK’s Farage Onto Backfoot Over Albanian Criminals

British far-right leader fails to land a punch with Albania’s prime minister in fiery row on social media over the number of Albanians held in UK jails. Original post Here

News

NATO’s Defence Spending Plan Poses Challenge for Balkan States

The Western military alliance’s new national spending benchmark on defence and security may cause problems for smaller and poorer NATO member states in the Balkans who cannot afford 5 per cent of GDP. Original post Here

News

Rule of Law or Rule by Law? Albania’s EU Path Faces a Crisis of Credibility

Jerina Zaloshnja As Albania accelerates the formal process of European Union accession—opening negotiation chapters at a pace that seems to outstrip democratic reforms—it faces an urgent and unavoidable truth: a country cannot genuinely integrate into the EU without first building a functioning rule-of-law society. No volume of technical chapters opened …

News

Balkan Countries ‘Failing to Enforce Freedom of Information Laws’: Report

Freedom of Information laws in the six Western Balkan countries may look robust, but public institutions all too often find ways to obstruct transparency, a new BIRN report has found. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: June 30, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here

News

Leaving Albania, the Country’s Youth Seek a More Stable Future

An inability to plan for the future is driving many young, educated Albanians to leave their homeland; experts say the government will have to address the trend sooner or later. Original post Here

News

Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here

News

Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work? Original post Here

News

BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven’t yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they’re unable to find the necessary laboratory services. Original post Here

News

Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route. Original post Here