Judges Issue Joint Statement: Salaries Must Be Unblocked Immediately or We Will Reduce Court Proceedings
Judges across the Republic gathered for an extraordinary meeting at the Justice Center, where they adopted a joint position regarding the freezing of magistrates’ salaries. The statement was read by Judge Alda Sadiku, who stressed that the judiciary’s demands are not subject to negotiation because, according to the judges, they …
Average Salary Reaches 92,150 Lek, 1 in 4 Employees Earn the Minimum Wage
The average salary in Albania exceeded 92,000 lek in the second quarter of the year, increasing by 10% in one year. However, significant disparities remain, with the finance and technology sectors paying more than double the national average. The average salary in Albania continued to rise during the second quarter …
The Hague Prosecution Seeks Six-Year Prison Sentence for Hashim Thaçi
Following the closing arguments presented by Chief Prosecutor Kimberly West and the prosecutor in the case, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office in The Hague has requested a six-year prison sentence for former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi in the case concerning obstruction of justice. “Based on all the evidence and facts, the …
Rama Unveils “Housing Program”: Confiscated Properties to Be Used for Housing
The government is expected to take a new approach to housing. The new National Housing Program provides for six new schemes, focusing on young families and young people who face difficulties in securing a home. During the presentation, Prime Minister Edi Rama said that the program is not simply a …
Fires, IPH: Smoke Affects the Health of At-Risk Groups
Albania has been facing persistent outbreaks of fires for several months. In addition to the environmental impact, specialists from the Institute of Public Health (IPH) say that the smoke released by the fires has an immediate impact on public health. Experts say that certain groups are at greater risk from …
Direct Flights Between Luxembourg and Tirana, Minister Hoxha: Another European Airline Comes to Albania
Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Ferit Hoxha announced this Thursday, through a post on X, the launch of direct flights between Luxembourg and Tirana operated by Luxair. The Minister described the arrival of another European airline in Albania as excellent news. “Starting from March 29, 2027, this new year-round …
“Diary of a War Photographer”, Exhibition in Pristina Ahead of The Hague Verdict
Just days before the major verdict in The Hague concerning the former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), their war and that of many other soldiers against Serbian forces has been presented in an exhibition in central Pristina. The exhibition is by Visar Kryeziu, a photographer who worked for …
Day 103 of the Protest, Citizens Gather Outside the Prime Minister’s Office
The protest by activists and citizens in Tirana entered its 103rd day this Thursday. As on every afternoon, after 7:00 p.m., they initially gathered in Skanderbeg Square, chanting: “Your time is up,” “A new Albania,” “Rama resign,” “Rama in prison, Berisha in prison,” among others. After gathering in Skanderbeg Square, …
Rama unveils six new housing schemes: social housing, subsidised loans and support for families in need
Housing will be one of the key priorities of the government’s “Rilindja 2.0” programme. Prime Minister Edi Rama has presented the new National Housing Programme, which aims to reshape the state’s approach to housing, particularly for young people and families. Rama said the programme follows a year of intensive work …
Government moves to centralise management of confiscated buildings
Parliament is reviewing amendments to the law on confiscated illegal constructions. The changes aim to improve their administration and support their use for social housing and public purposes. The draft law would centralize the process under the Agency for the Administration of Seized and Confiscated Assets (AAPSK). The agency would …
Tirana police came to the aid of two German tourists who lost their way in the mountains behind Mount Dajti on Sunday evening. Police learned at around 20:15 that the two tourists needed help near Qafë Mollë. Officers from Police Station No. 4 immediately began searching for them. The officers …
The fourth round of Albania’s Abissnet Superiore ended on Sunday with AF Elbasani beating Egnatia 2-1 at Elbasan Arena. Earlier on Sunday, Laçi defeated Vllaznia 2-0 at home. On Friday, Skënderbeu and Tirana drew 1-1 in Korça. Meanwhile, Dinamo City beat Partizani 4-2 in another Tirana derby on Saturday. Teuta …
Bank of Albania Governor Gent Sejko met Pierre Sentenac, the new head of the Regional Economic Department at the French Embassy, at the central bank. Sejko highlighted Albania’s close relations with France and described France as an important European partner. Sejko briefed Sentenac on recent economic and financial developments in …
The 21st International Human Rights Film Festival opens in Tirana on September 14 and runs through September 19. The Academy of Film and Multimedia “Marubi” organises the festival. This year’s programme focuses on war, peace, the rule of law and the memory of victims. Over six days, the festival will …
Revenues from managing and renting confiscated property reached ALL 180 million in the first eight months of 2026, according to Risena Xhaja, head of Albania’s Agency for the Administration of Confiscated Assets. Xhaja presented the figures during a hearing with the Committee on Citizen Initiatives, Cooperation and Institutional Oversight. She …
Albanian director and researcher Ilir Yzeiri has won the Best Documentary Director award at the Venice International Film Festival. He received the award for his documentary “Lucia Nadin and Albanians in Venice 1474–1552”. The documentary previously earned selection by the Veneto Region for the festival’s 83rd edition. Italian company Cinemaset, …
Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region. Original post Here
The Hague will deliver its verdict on September 16 in the trial of former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Rexhep Selimi and Jakup Krasniqi. The four have pleaded not guilty. The case has attracted significant attention in Kosova because of the defendants’ prominent roles during the 1998-1999 …
Albania ranks among the 10 most preferred destinations outside the European Union for EU residents, according to Eurostat data. The Agency for Media and Information cited Eurostat figures showing around 2 million trips to Albania that included at least one overnight stay. These trips accounted for 2% of all journeys …
Deputy Defence Minister Blerina Abrazhda says Albania needs time to build its defence industry and develop the infrastructure, technology and skilled workforce required for production. She made the remarks in response to opposition criticism of the sector’s initial industrial projects. Abrazhda said Albania should assess early projects not only by …