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From controversy to revision: Albania retains binary gender definition in equality bill

Published on October 16, 2025
A draft law on legal equality submitted to the Albanian Parliament initially proposed redefining gender in a way that would have allowed recognition beyond the...

Why is this important: The draft triggered strong opposition for what critics saw as an attempt to introduce alternative  genders into Albanian law — a concept that remains controversial even across many EU countries. Facing backlash, including from religious institutions, the ruling Socialist Party moved swiftly to amend the bill, reaffirming the constitutional definition of gender as man and woman.


Crisis Group: Kosovo’s rift with the West deepens amid Albin Kurti’s power centralization and crackdown on Serbs

Published on October 16, 2025
A new report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) warns that Kosovo is straining its relations with the EU and the United States, as Prime...

Why is this important: The ICG, one of the most respected global conflict-analysis organizations, highlights a sharp cooling of ties between Kosovo and its Western allies — an alarming shift given the historic U.S. and EU role as the country’s strongest political and financial supporters. The report suggests that Kurti’s policies risk isolating Kosovo internationally and undermining the fragile progress made since independence.


Prosecutor General slams colleagues for complaining to foreign embassies

Published on October 16, 2025
Albania’s Prosecutor General Olsian Çela has publicly condemned a growing practice among prosecutors who, dissatisfied with court rulings, have reportedly taken their grievances to foreign...

Why is this important: The revelation underscores a recurring pattern in Albanian public life, where politicians, judges, and prosecutors seek validation or intervention from international partners rather than resolving institutional disputes domestically. While Albania’s justice reform has long depended on foreign support, Çela’s criticism marks a rare moment in which a top official openly questions the outsized influence of diplomatic actors in the country’s internal judicial affairs.


Kosovo left out as EU disburses new Growth Plan funds to Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia

Published on October 16, 2025
The European Commission has released the latest tranche of funding under the EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, allocating new financial support to Albania,...

Why is this important: Kosovo continues to miss out on millions of euros in EU funding due to its ongoing institutional crisis, which prevents it from formalizing the required agreements with the EU. While other countries move forward with economic support and integration projects, Kosovo’s political paralysis means it remains outside one of the region’s most significant financial initiatives.


Democrats file motion to impeach President Begaj, citing seven constitutional violations

Published on October 16, 2025
The Democratic Party has submitted to Parliament a formal request to impeach President Bajram Begaj, accusing him of seven constitutional breaches ranging from abuse of...

Why is this important: The impeachment motion marks the most serious institutional clash between the opposition and the presidency in recent years. The Democrats argue that Begaj has “crossed red lines” by overstepping constitutional limits, while the ruling majority has already dismissed the move as a political stunt with no legal grounds.


Prosecutor General criticizes draft Penal Code as “repressive”

Published on October 16, 2025
Albania’s Prosecutor General Olsian Çela has sharply criticized the draft of the new Penal Code, calling it “repressive” and questioning both its urgency and the...

Why is this important: The proposed amendments, drafted by a group of legal experts and supported by the Albanian government, have been submitted to Parliament for debate. However, the draft has not received support from any of the institutions within the justice system, including the prosecution and judiciary. Çela’s remarks signal growing institutional concern over reforms that could reshape Albania’s criminal justice framework.


Inside the world of Dritëro Agolli: a rare exhibition at his Tirana Home-Studio

Published on October 14, 2025
A year after the inauguration of the Dritëro Agolli House-Studio in Tirana, a rare exhibition has opened to the public, offering an intimate look into the creative...

Electric scooter ban tes Effect Monday Across Albania

Published on October 13, 2025
Starting Monday, circulation of electric scooters on Albanian roads will be temporarily banned, the Minister of Interior Albana Koçiu announced following a meeting with the...

Why is this important: The decision comes amid a surge in accidents involving electric scooters. According to official data, 991 accidents were recorded nationwide in 2024, several of them fatal and many causing serious injuries. Minister Koçiu said the suspension will remain in place until a new regulatory manual outlining the rules and safety standards for scooter use is completed.


EU–Western Balkans Investment Forum opens in Tirana, calls for a “new horizon” of growth

Published on October 13, 2025
For the first time, policymakers, investors, and business leaders from the Western Balkans and EU member states gathered in Tirana for the EU–Western Balkans Investment...

Why is this important: The EU Growth Plan for the Western Balkans aims to double the region’s GDP within the next decade, marking one of the EU’s most ambitious economic commitments in recent years. At the opening, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on European investors to seize the opportunity: “The time to invest in the Western Balkans is now. Returns are promising, and the future of the region lies within our Union.”


BIG wins international competition to design Albania’s “Faith Park” in Tirana

Published on October 13, 2025
The Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) has won the international design competition for Albania’s “Faith Park,” a landmark project that will transform a former military site...

Why is this important: Faith Park is envisioned as a symbol of Albania’s centuries-old tradition of religious coexistence, blending art, landscape, and spirituality. The park will draw on shared natural motifs — trees, fruits, and flowers mentioned in sacred texts — to create a living space of reflection, dialogue, and unity. BIG’s selection among 12 international finalists reinforces Albania’s growing role as a hub for forward-looking cultural and architectural projects.