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In surprise move, PM makes key changes to cabinet

TIRANA, July 29, 2024 – In a surprise move at his Socialist Party congress, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced changes in some of the most important cabinet positions in his government a year before the next general election.  Ministers of interior, finance and defense have been sacked and …

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The chief prosecutor of Vlora arrested by order of SPAK

The chief prosecutor of Vlora, Aurel Zarka, was arrested by order of the Special Prosecutor’s Office (SPAK). Journalist Elton Nika reports that the reasons for Zarka’s arrest are still unknown. Meanwhile, two people were detained, one of them a lawyer./abcnews.al […] Read More… Original post Here

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Parliament to vote changes in govt tuesday

Parliament will gather Tuesday in an extraordinary session to vote the new members of the government. The session was supposed to be held this evening at 18:00 pm but the President, needed more time to verify the new members of the cabinet and decree them. On the last year of his …

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Rama puts everyone in test for a post in the MPs list

Socialists should work hard to earn a post in a list for Members of Parliament as starting this elections most of them are in the hands of the chairman of the party. Prime Minister Edi Rama, called this Monday the meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group where he underlined …

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Socialist Party Congress, Rama: Immigrants voting is already a reality

The Congress of the Socialist Party has started, the proceedings of which are taking place in the Palace of Congresses. Prime Minister Edi Rama is keeping his word. “This is an important station in the journey of our party. Not simply that today we will choose the representatives in the …

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Rama: I want a spectacular result in the next elections

A spectacular result, Rama asked for the upcoming parliamentary elections, which are expected to be held next year. From the SP congress, Rama said that Albanians should see the SP as a mirror of hope and ambition for the future. The further strengthening of the SP, but also for the …

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Rama for the fourth term: To hold the NATO Summit in Tirana

Prime Minister Edi Rama said that projects such as the blue corridor or Vlora airport will be completed within the fourth mandate of the Socialist Party. In his speech to the Congress, Rama declared that the number of foreign tourists will reach 20 million. The head of the government added …

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Rama’s proposals for changes in government sent to Presidency

Prime Minister Edi Rama has announced changes in the government. In his speech to the Congress, the head of the government declared that he will propose to the President of the Republic, Bajram Begaj, changes in the government cabinet. Rama said that Taulant Balla will be proposed to the post …

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Thailand removes visas for citizens of Albania

Albanian citizens can travel visa-free to Thailand. The news was confirmed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Igli Hasani, through an announcement on social networks. Now, Albanians can travel without visas to 99 countries, according to Hasan. The minister added that work will continue to strengthen the Albanian passport everywhere …

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Socialist Party holds the Congress, will be elected the new National Assembly

At 11:00, the congress of the Socialist Party starts, where 156 of the 350 members of the National Assembly will be elected, where 3/4 of them are expected to be new members. The other members are automatically due to their function (Assembly Speakers, MPs, Ministers, Mayors). Panel discussions will be …

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Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans

TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …

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Albanian MPs Adopt Resolution Declaring Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’

Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here

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Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage

by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …

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‘Cruel, Sadistic’: Albanian Communist State’s Killings of Escapees Still Mostly Unpunished

In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here

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Major Cocaine Heist Reveals Albanian Links to Swedish Drug Trade

The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here

News
Iran-Linked Hackers’ Fresh Strike on Albania Highlights Continued Negligence

A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here

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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

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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 …

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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

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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

News

Europe’s Next Enlargement: Why Berlin, Paris and The Hague Could Decide the Fate of the Western Balkans

TIRANA TIMES, March 19, 2026 – The European Union’s enlargement debate has entered a new and unusually sensitive phase. What initially appeared to be a Brussels-driven discussion about how to accelerate Ukraine’s accession has quickly evolved into a broader political reckoning inside key member states over the future shape, pace, …

News

Albanian MPs Adopt Resolution Declaring Iran ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism’

Ruling Socialist Party MPs aiming to support the US on the Iran war push through resolution – but opposition MPs boycott the vote they claim was staged ‘for the personal agenda of the Prime Minister’. Original post Here

News

Building a Trusted Health Tourism Ecosystem: Albania’s Next Competitive Advantage

by Professor Alaa Garad Tirana Times, March 17, 2026 – There are countries you visit, and there are countries you remember. Albania is rapidly becoming the latter. I began writing this article before travelling to Albania, drawing on the country’s remarkable tourism growth and the strategic opportunities it presents. Yet …

News

‘Cruel, Sadistic’: Albanian Communist State’s Killings of Escapees Still Mostly Unpunished

In the final years of Albania’s communist dictatorship, the authorities shot dozens of citizens trying to flee the country – and most of the attempts to bring the killers to justice have met obstruction and incompetence. Original post Here

News

Major Cocaine Heist Reveals Albanian Links to Swedish Drug Trade

The theft of a shipment of cocaine that was smuggled from Costa Rica to Sweden exposed the role of Albanian criminal groups in the international logistics of the drug trade, as well as the challenges in holding them accountable. Original post Here

News

Iran-Linked Hackers’ Fresh Strike on Albania Highlights Continued Negligence

A new cyberattack by Iran-linked Homeland Justice group targeting Albania’s parliament revealed the continued vulnerability of state digital systems and failures to implement basic security measures. Original post Here

News

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

News

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 …

News

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

News

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