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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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European Political Community Summit in Tirana – Substance, Symbolism, and Domestic Contradictions

Tirana, 17 May 2025 The Sixth Summit of the European Political Community (EPC), held in Tirana on 16 May 2025, convened 47 European leaders in a highly symbolic gathering that showcased continental unity in the face of geopolitical volatility. Under the banner “New Europe in a New World: Unity – …

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Albania’s 2025 Elections: Triumph of the Socialists or the Fall of Democracy?

The May 11 parliamentary elections delivered a further consolidationof the Socialist government under Edi Rama’s leadership, while simultaneously revealing adeterioration in democratic standards across the country: unequal representation, abuse ofstate resources, media capture, and pressure on the opposition. The near-absolute majoritythat the Socialist Party has effectively secured in these elections …

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Lawyers and Journalists Need Protection, Urges Council of Europe Chief

The secretary-general of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, tells BIRN why the European rights body recently adopted the first-ever international treaty aimed at protecting lawyers from harassment and threats. Original post Here

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Albanian Prosecution Accuses Former Ruling Party MP of Organised Crime Ties

Special prosecutors conclude investigation into Jurgis Cyrbja, accusing the former Socialist MP of sharing state information with organised crime group members in exchange for their support in elections. Original post Here

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Opposition: The Prime Minister Must Go!

In a meeting held yesterday with local officials, the leader of the opposition, Edi Rama, declared that the country is facing a series of serious problems that require deep and structural reforms. One of the first issues raised was that of drinking water. “Despite reported improvements, the situation calls for …

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Skyscrapers and Shadows: Albania’s Construction Boom Masking a Web of Crime and Corruption

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) July 15,2025 — Just 300 meters from the office of Albania’s Prime Minister, a 40-story tower rises over Tirana’s skyline. It’s one of dozens of new high-rises reshaping the capital. But behind the glass and steel façade lies a darker truth that experts say reflects Albania’s …

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From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers

After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …

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Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins

In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here

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Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 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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Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

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Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

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Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

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Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …

News

Albanian Prosecution Accuses Former Ruling Party MP of Organised Crime Ties

Special prosecutors conclude investigation into Jurgis Cyrbja, accusing the former Socialist MP of sharing state information with organised crime group members in exchange for their support in elections. Original post Here

News

Opposition: The Prime Minister Must Go!

In a meeting held yesterday with local officials, the leader of the opposition, Edi Rama, declared that the country is facing a series of serious problems that require deep and structural reforms. One of the first issues raised was that of drinking water. “Despite reported improvements, the situation calls for …

News

Skyscrapers and Shadows: Albania’s Construction Boom Masking a Web of Crime and Corruption

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) July 15,2025 — Just 300 meters from the office of Albania’s Prime Minister, a 40-story tower rises over Tirana’s skyline. It’s one of dozens of new high-rises reshaping the capital. But behind the glass and steel façade lies a darker truth that experts say reflects Albania’s …

News

From the Prime Minister’s Words to the State’s Bulldozers

After a campaign of promises for legalization, property titles, fine forgiveness, and tourism development, the government returns to Theth with the bulldozers of the National Inspectorate for the Protection of Territory (IKMT). Residents accuse the government of deception and corruption. By Lindita Çela – July 13, 2025 “Welcome! May God …

News

Albanian Village Erupts in Protest over Crackdown on ‘Illegal’ Tourist Cabins

In a remote valley in northern Albania, locals claim they were encouraged to build cabins to promote tourism. When the authorities sent in bulldozers to demolish what they said are illegal constructions, anger boiled over. Original post Here

News

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: July 14, 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

Week in Review: Surprises in Store

Our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week brings some surprises – some good, some less so – while continuing to look back on 20 years of BIRN. Original post Here

News

Albania’s Anti-Disinformation Strategy Could Target Critical Media, Opponents Fear

The Albanian parliament has adopted a national strategy to combat foreign interference and disinformation – but the opposition claims it could be used against domestic media that expose government failings. Original post Here

News

Veliaj in Legal and Political Limbo: High Court Confirms Detention, Rule-of-Law in Question

Tirana Times, TIRANA July 9, 2025— Albania’s High Court on Tuesday upheld the pretrial detention of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, marking a decisive moment in both the judicial handling of the high-profile case and in Veliaj’s political unraveling. The ruling, which confirms the March 13 decision of the Court of …

News

Greece Inaugurates New Consulate in Korça to Boost Bilateral Ties

By Tirana Time staff KORÇA, Albania ,Tirana Times,  July 9 , 2025 — Greece inaugurated a new building for its Consulate General in the southeastern Albanian city of Korça on Sunday, in a ceremony that highlighted the deepening diplomatic ties between the two neighboring countries and renewed Athens’ focus on …