Is Albania’s new dominant-party system here to stay?
By ANDI BALLA The ruling Socialist Party scored a sweeping victory in Albania’s May 14, 2023 municipal elections. SP won 54 out of 61 municipalities, including every single large city. Socialist mayors will govern more than 94 percent of the country’s population, adding to the SP domination at the national …
Mother, daughter prosecuted for trying to smuggle EUR 40,000 through Rinas
Rinas Police has seized 40,000 euros in the airport checks, while the mother and daughter who tried to cross the border were prosecuted in connection with the incident. The police informs that the large amount of money was hidden in the body of the two citizens, while the materials were …
Jailed Himara’s mayor to appear at court, might lose mandate
Candidate of the “Together We Win” coalition for the Municipality of Himara, Fredi Beleri, was arrested a day before the elections, after being caught buying votes, but was able to win the battle for the Municipality of Himara behind jail. Vlora’s Court imposed the measure of “prison arrest”, while he …
No settlement deal between Berisha, Veliaj on defamation Trial
Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, filed a defamation lawsuit against the former Prime Minister, Sali Berisha, after the latter accused him of ties to Iran and first session with the representation of the two parties was held this Friday. This session lasted only 20 minutes, where the lawyers of Berisha …
Electric scooters’ serial thief arrested in Tirana
A 20-year-old man has been arrested this Friday by the Tirana police after allegedly stealing electric skateboards in Tirana. According to the police, 20-year-old Emiljan Guraj and his minor accomplice, 16 years old, are suspected of being the authors of at least 7 cases of theft of skateboards. His arrest …
Accused of “concealing and non-declaration of assets”, SPAK demands a year in prison for the former head of C. Court
The Special Prosecutor’s Office requests a year in prison for Bashkim Deda, the former head of the Constitutional Court, according to Ermal Vija, ABC News journalist. According to Article 59, is required the suspension of the execution of the sentence and placement on probation for 2 years. Deda is accused …
Democrats react after the resignation of Alibeaj
Democratic MP Ervin Salianji has declared Thursday that the resignation of Enkelejd Alibeaj from the position of Democratic Party’s (DP) Parliamentary Group’s Head is an attempt for further fragmentation of the opposition political force. In a statement to the media, the politician said that after the disappointing result of May …
SP urges opposition to return to parliament for pressing issues
Chairman of the Parliamentary Group in the Socialist Party (SP), Taulant Balla has called this Thursday on the opposition MPs to return to Parliament in order to carry on with the discussions regarding the ombudsman’s election and justice reform. In his speech, Balla underlined that their boycott right after the …
Tirana young man arrested after robbing private post office
Tirana Police has handcuffed this Thursday a 27-year-old man who robbed by knife a sum of money from a private post office on Wednesday evening. According to the police, the incident happened yesterday evening, in the branch of a private post office on “5 Maji” street, where citizen Ordis Molla …
After Election Disaster, Albania’s Opposition Must ‘Open its Eyes’
Fatbardh Kadilli, from the Democratic Party, which won only seven municipalities in the May 14 Local elections, tells BIRN that both leaders of the divided party should quit and the party be completely reformed. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama has officially announced a change in of Albania’s Interior Ministry, with Besfort Lamallari leaving the post and Ervin Demo taking over as minister. During a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office, Rama said the move was part of a reshuffle within the government team. Lamallari will …
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced changes to his government, with Ervin Demo taking over as Interior Minister as of Friday. Demo had served as Minister of State for Local Government since September 2025. As part of the latest government changes, the Ministry of State for Local Government will be …
Prime Minister Edi Rama reacted after the Administrative Court issued a decision unblocking salaries for the Special Court against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) and the Durrës Court. In a post on X, Rama criticized the speed with which, according to him, the court acted on the issue of judges’ …
Historical narratives, political systems, institutions and economies across the region are being put to the test as old problems collide with new pressures, our selection of Balkan Insight’s Premium stories this week shows. Original post Here
Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced a change at the helm of the Interior Ministry. Besfort Lamallari will leave the post and move to the Prime Minister’s Office, while Ervin Demo will take over the ministry. Rama announced the move while presenting changes to the government. He said Lamallari would …
The Ministry of Defense reported 40 wildfires across Albania in the past 24 hours. Six remain active, nine are under monitoring and 25 have been fully extinguished. A total of 492 local personnel and 36 firefighting vehicles are supporting operations. The Armed Forces have deployed 133 personnel, one helicopter, two …
Klodiana Spahiu has been sworn in as Minister of Health and Social Welfare at the Presidency. President Bajram Begaj appointed her following Prime Minister Edi Rama’s proposal, after Evis Sala resigned from the post. Spahiu is a cardiologist and holds a medical degree from the University of Tirana. She later …
An exhibition dedicated to one of Albania’s leading 20th-century artists, Ibrahim Kodra, will open in Tirana on September 23. “Ibrahim Kodra – The Sea and Music” will be held at the Bank of Albania and will remain open until November 23. The exhibition features 41 works created between 1947 and …
Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Blendi Gonxhja announced the launch of a national campaign to register artisans across Albania. The campaign aims to identify, assess and promote traditional crafts and the people who preserve them. Gonxhja said the campaign would give greater visibility to artisans and their work. It will …
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj has announced a new National Housing Fund to support not only vulnerable groups, but also professionals, young people and newly formed families. Speaking after a government meeting, Ibrahimaj said the programme will make 7,000 apartments available. Around 2,000 will be offered through interest-free loans …