Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times). Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European

2 weeks ago

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Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

Headline

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the

2 weeks ago

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Balluku Charges Test PM Rama’s Power

Headline

TIRANA, Albania (Tirana Times) November 11, 2025. The criminal charges filed against Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure Minister Belinda Balluku

3 weeks ago

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Constitutional Court Overturns Dismissal: Veliaj Formally Reinstated as Tirana Mayor

Headline

Tirana November 3,2025 The Constitutional Court has ruled in favor of Erion Veliaj, annulling the government’s decision to dismiss him

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SPAK Summons Deputy Prime Minister Balluku

Headline

SPAK Summons Deputy Prime Minister Balluku A Major Test for Albania’s Anti-Corruption Drive Tirana, October 27, 2025 .The Special Anti-Corruption

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Syria Recognizes Kosovo in Diplomatic Breakthrough Backed by Saudi Arabia

Headline

TIRANA, October 29, 2025 In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Syria has officially recognized the Republic of Kosovo as an

1 month ago

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Headline·News

Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections

2 weeks ago

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times). Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for

Headline

Deputy PM Balluku Suspended as SPAK Probe Widens

2 weeks ago

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana 20, November 2025.The suspension of Albania’s Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized

Saudi Embassy in Tirana Marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities

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Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion

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Albania’s Political Absurdity:Doomsday – The Day Albania “Lost” Its Deputy PM

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The Limits of Spectacle Diplomacy in the UK–Albania Migration Row

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Latest

Saudi Embassy in Tirana Marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities

News

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana, 3 December 2025 — The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania today organized in Tirana the central event marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, a broad awareness-raising activity that brought together around 250 children with disabilities from several cities across

1 day ago

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Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion

Op-Ed

By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance have become more pronounced, and in a synthesized way this is reflected in the increasing number of MPs of the ruling party from one mandate to

6 days ago

15 mins read

Albania’s Political Absurdity:Doomsday – The Day Albania “Lost” Its Deputy PM

Op-Ed

O tempora, o mores. After Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku faced criminal charges, and after the court suspended her from office and banned her from leaving the country, what one would normally expect is either her immediate resignation or her immediate dismissal by Prime

1 week ago

4 mins read

Opposition Rejects EU Commissioner’s “Free and Fair” Assessment of Elections

Headline·News

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania , November 22, (Tirana Times). Albania’s main opposition party sharply criticized European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos for describing the country’s May 11 parliamentary elections as “free and fair,” arguing that her assessment contradicts the findings of international election monitors. In a statement delivered

2 weeks ago

3 mins read

The Limits of Spectacle Diplomacy in the UK–Albania Migration Row

Op-Ed

The clash between Edi Rama and Shabana Mahmood over the fate of 700 Albanian families in the UK exposes a deeper truth about modern diplomacy: visibility is not the same as influence. When the Home Secretary singled out Albanian families while announcing sweeping asylum reforms, she was not improvising. She

2 weeks ago

3 mins read

Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility

Op-Ed

Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of Europe’s most repressive communist regimes, the country’s democratic trajectory remains emblematic of post-authoritarian transformation, reflecting the promise of political renewal while exposing the challenges of durable consolidation. In this context, the May 2025 parliamentary elections stand out as a test

2 weeks ago

21 mins read

Latest

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Saudi Embassy in Tirana Marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities

News

By Tirana Times Staff Tirana, 3 December 2025 — The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Albania today organized in Tirana the

1 day ago

3 mins read

Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion

Op-Ed

By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance

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Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

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Multigenderism’s Curious Impact

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Albania Boosts Defense Spending to Align with NATO Goals

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Rama: Albania Has No Fear of Russia

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Business and Economy

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Albania’s Currency Exchanges Tied to Drug Money Laundering

Business & Economy

By Tirana Times Staff TIRANA, Albania,October 16,2025. Behind brightly lit kiosks advertising euros, dollars and pounds, prosecutors say a hidden financial system is moving millions in illicit cash for some of Albania’s most powerful drug-trafficking groups. Recent investigations by the Special Anti-Corruption Structure, or SPAK, reveal that certain licensed currency

2 months ago

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Albania faces international scrutiny over suspected toxic waste trafficking

Kushner granted ‘strategic investor’ status for Sazan development ahead of Trump’s inauguration

Albania’s Food Safety Scandal Highlights Rule of Law Deficiencies Amid EU Accession Talks

Qatar Square to serve as Tirana’s newest hub and vital part of New Boulevard project

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From exile, Albania’s ex deputy PM alleges massive corruption at top of SP leadership

OP-ED

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Op-Ed

Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion

By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we

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Op-Ed

Albania’s Political Absurdity:Doomsday – The Day Albania “Lost” Its Deputy PM

O tempora, o mores. After Deputy Prime Minister and Minister

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The Limits of Spectacle Diplomacy in the UK–Albania Migration Row

The clash between Edi Rama and Shabana Mahmood over the

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Albania: Between Reform Dynamics and Democratic Fragility

Elez Biberaj Thirty-five years after Albania’s emergence from one of

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Op-Ed

Saudi Crown Prince’s Washington Visit Signals a New Middle East Order

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Multigenderism’s Curious Impact

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Op-Ed·Western Balkans

PM Rama’s Misguided Diplomacy on Kosovo

The Albanian Prime Minister’s suggestions have largely and consistently proven

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Op-Ed

Oligarchy, Governance, and Justice in the Eyes of Citizens’ Expectations

By Zef Preçi The recent decision of Albania’s Special Prosecution

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OP-ED

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Albania’s Anti-Corruption “Success”: A Manufactured Illusion

Op-Ed

By Zef Preçi What kind of political system are we living in today? Even though we have a weak state, authoritarian tendencies in governance

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Albania’s Political Absurdity:Doomsday – The Day Albania “Lost” Its Deputy PM

Op-Ed

O tempora, o mores. After Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy Belinda Balluku faced criminal charges, and after the court suspended

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State Capture and Electoral Manipulation

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Albania in the Second War World : A Forgotten Theater of World War II

Books·Culture

By Bernd Fischer It is becoming increasingly difficult to justify yet another book dealing with some aspect of World War II. Of all the armed conflicts of past centuries, World War II has engendered the most interest as well as an exhausting amount of written material. The opening of the

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Arab Scientist Among 2025 Nobel Chemistry Laureates for Groundbreaking Molecular Architectures

Culture

In an era when Arab nations are investing heavily in science and technology especially under initiatives such as Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Yaghi’s Nobel Prize is seen as both a personal triumph and a symbolic breakthrough for scientific ambition across the Middle East By Tirana Times Staff | October 8,

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Building integrity and accountability in Albanian public universities: practical lessons from the United States

Features

Aaron Savoy-Pasha | Albanian Institute for International Studies (AIIS) Albanian higher education exhibits documented integrity risks, particularly with respect to grading, favoritism, and political interference. As noted in a peer-reviewed study, peer and political pressures shape the assessment process and erode degrees’ legitimacy (Shahini, Zhllima, and Imami, 2024). Transparency International’s

2 months ago

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A modern writer of Saudi Arabian literature

Culture

The Critical Case of Patient K. by Aziz Muhamed By Jerina Zaloshnja “Let’s take a family photo,” suggested the prominent Saudi Arabian writer Yusuf ElMuhaimid, author of two of the latest books published in Arabic by Tirana Times (“A Man Chased by Rats” and “The Journey of the Najdi Boy”).

2 months ago

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Saudi Cultural Week in Albania: A Spectacle of Art, Heritage, and Modern Transformation

Culture

By Jerina Zaloshnja Tirana witnessed an extraordinary spectacle of art, tradition, and innovation as Saudi Cultural Week opened its doors at the Palace of Congresses, offering Albanians a rare and vibrant glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry and modern aspirations of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Organized jointly by the

3 months ago

9 mins read

East–West Encounters in the Novel “Pema e harlisur” by the Saudi Author Umaima al-Khamis

Books·Culture

Alban Reli As the translator from Arabic to Albanian of the novel ‘The Leafy Tree’(Albanian: ‘Pema e harlisur’) by the Saudi writer Umaima al-Khamis, I am happy to present to Albanian readers the Albanian-language edition of this book, published by Tirana Times. The book was first presented to the public

3 months ago

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Features and Culture

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Albania in the Second War World : A Forgotten Theater of World War II

Books·Culture

By Bernd Fischer It is becoming increasingly difficult to justify yet another book dealing with some aspect of World War II. Of all the armed conflicts of past centuries, World War II has engendered the most interest as well as an exhausting amount of written material. The opening of the

2 months ago

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PM Rama’s Misguided Diplomacy on Kosovo

Op-Ed·Western Balkans

The Albanian Prime Minister’s suggestions have largely and consistently proven not to be in Kosovo’s best interest October 29, 2025 By Veton Suroi Last

4 weeks ago

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Serbia on Edge as Vučić’s Legitimacy Crumbles

Western Balkans

As Serbia grapples with one of its most volatile moments in recent political history, the warning signs of regime decay are hard to ignore.

5 months ago

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Western Powers Push to Turn Balkans into Migrant Buffer Zone, Stirring Rights Alarm

Western Balkans

TIRANA TIMES, May 27, Albania — A growing wave of Western efforts to outsource the handling of rejected asylum seekers is turning the Western

6 months ago

4 mins read

News Analysis: Kosovo Parliament Fails Again to Elect Speaker, Highlighting Deepening Partisan Divides and Institutional Fragility

Main·Western Balkans

Tirana, Tirana Times, April 27 — Kosovo’s political deadlock deepened further on Sunday as the Parliament failed once again to elect a Speaker and

7 months ago

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Trump’s New Tariffs and Their Impact on Albania and the Western Balkans

Headline·Western Balkans

TIRANA, April 4, 2025 — President Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs on global trade partners have sparked concern and debate across Europe and the

8 months ago

4 mins read

What is the aim of the Declaration on military cooperation between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo?

Western Balkans

Albania, Croatia and Kosovo signed a joint declaration of cooperation on defence on 18 March in Tirana, which sparked anger among the Serbian officials,

8 months ago

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News Analysis: A Geopolitical Shift in the Western Balkans?

Op-Ed·Premium·Western Balkans

Trilateral Defense Pact Between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo Redefines Regional Security Architecture? A new security alignment is taking shape in Southeastern Europe, as three

9 months ago

7 mins read

Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo Sign Defense Agreement: A New Military Alliance in the Balkans?

Headline·Main·Western Balkans

By Tirana Times TIRANA, Albania, March 19th— Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo have signed a joint declaration aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation, marking

9 months ago

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From staunch enemy to strategic partner: Albanian-American relations in transition

Premium

In 1919, Vatra, a pan-Albanian association functioning as something of a shadow Albanian government in the United States, made an unprecedented request to Secretary

6 months ago

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In a depopulating Albania, why is the PM campaigning on a promise to make it easier for young people to leave?

Op-Ed·Premium

If Rama wants to be the prime minister who ushers Albania into the European Union, he must first be the leader who makes Albania

8 months ago

6 mins read

United Arab Emirates ‘s Expanding Influence in Albania – Financial and Political Concerns

Headline·Op-Ed·Premium

By Tirana Times TIRANA, March 20th (Tirana Times ) The Albanian government has nearly doubled the projected cost of its “Smart City” initiative, now

9 months ago

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News Analysis: A Geopolitical Shift in the Western Balkans?

Op-Ed·Premium·Western Balkans

Trilateral Defense Pact Between Albania, Croatia, and Kosovo Redefines Regional Security Architecture? A new security alignment is taking shape in Southeastern Europe, as three

9 months ago

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Op/Ed: Is Albania slipping into a one-party system?

Features·Op-Ed·Premium

The head of Albania’s opposition, Sali Berisha(1), Albania’s former President and a former two-term Prime Minister, was arrested on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Mr.

2 years ago

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Is Albania’s new dominant-party system here to stay?

Op-Ed·Premium

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

3 years ago

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Why tensions between Serbia and Kosovo are flaring

Op-Ed·Premium

By Veton Surroi The first lesson of the events of these days in the four northern municipalities of Kosovo is that the conflict between

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What do Albania’s upcoming municipal elections mean for foreign investors?

Business & Economy·Features·Main·Premium

NEWS ANALYSIS TIRANA, April 19, 2023 – Albania’s political parties have started campaigning across the country for the upcoming May 14 municipal elections, which

3 years ago

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Premium

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From staunch enemy to strategic partner: Albanian-American relations in transition

Premium

In 1919, Vatra, a pan-Albanian association functioning as something of a shadow Albanian government in the United States, made an unprecedented request to Secretary

6 months ago

16 mins read