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Albania launches public consultation on TikTok, Snapchat ban following teen’s tragic death

Published on November 20, 2024
The Albanian government has initiated consultations with parents in middle and high schools to decide whether TikTok and Snapchat should be banned. Prime Minister Edi...

Why is this important: The initiative was prompted by the murder of a 14-year-old student in Tirana, which stemmed from a schoolyard argument that escalated on social media. The tragedy involved a violent altercation that led to one death and two injuries. Disturbingly, the perpetrator shared the weapon on social media, while peers used TikTok and Snapchat to spread threats and glorify violence.


Special Court seizes luxury villas linked to former president’s ex-wife amid corruption probe

Published on November 20, 2024
The Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO) has seized two luxury villas in the prestigious Kodra e Diellit neighborhood in Tirana, owned by Monika Kryemadhi, deputy...

Why is this important: The ruling marks yet another significant moment in one of Albania’s landmark cases against corruption in high levels. SPAK’s actions emphasize its commitment to tackling high-profile corruption involving influential figures in Albanian politics.


Opposition calls for pension fund reform amid budget discussions

Published on November 20, 2024
The Albanian Parliament has seen renewed calls for a dedicated pension fund during ongoing debates about pension reforms. Opposition MPs argue that a sustainable fund...

Why is this important: Pension reform has become a central issue in Albania, where approximately 300,000 retirees live on very low monthly incomes. Opposition MPs emphasize that current government measures, including periodic bonuses, are insufficient to address the systemic shortcomings in the pension system. The government’s proposed “Spring Bonus,” while welcomed, is criticized as a temporary fix rather than a long-term solution.


Albanian President launches consultations on parliamentary election date

Published on November 20, 2024
President Bajram Begaj has commenced discussions with political parties to finalize the date for the upcoming parliamentary elections. Leaders from various small parties, met first...

Interior Minister presents new police chiefs for key northern districts amidst debate on crime

Published on November 19, 2024
Interior Minister Ervin Hoxha introduced on Tuesday the newly appointed police chiefs for Shkodër and Lezhë, two key norther districts. He emphasized the need for...

Why is this important: Just two weeks ago, Shkodra witnessed a tragic incident that left four people dead, including two innocent passersby. The victims included two young men, one the son of a local politician and the other the brother of a high-profile fugitive. They were ambushed by unidentified assailants, and the gunfire caused their car to collide with a motorcycle carrying a married couple, who also lost their lives. This incident has sparked widespread public outrage, with demands for decisive action against criminal gangs. The appointment of new police leadership signals a commitment to addressing these concerns.


Murder of 14-year-old sparks heated parliamentary debate

Published on November 19, 2024
The killing of a 14-year-old student from one of Tirana’s well-known schools has ignited fierce debate in the Albanian Parliament. The opposition is demanding the...

Why is this important: The murder marks the fourth case this year where teenagers have fallen victim to peer violence. In most cases the violence has been fueled by disputes that began on social media. Although none of these killings occurred inside school grounds, the rising violence among adolescents has alarmed the public and highlighted the urgent need for preventive measures.


Central Election Commission pushes online ad monitoring reforms

Published on November 19, 2024
The Central Election Commission (KQZ), in partnership with International IDEA, the Rule of Law Centre of Finland, and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, Albania (BIRN),...

Former President appeals security measure, blames ex-wife for financial missteps

Published on November 19, 2024
In a high-stakes hearing at the Special Court of Appeals Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO), former President Ilir Meta delivered a comprehensive defense against...

Why is this important: Ilir Meta’s indictment marks a significant moment in Albania’s fight against corruption. He is the second most important political figure, after Sali Berisha, to be charged by Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). For close to three decades, Meta was considered untouchable. He was one of the most powerful politicians in the country, having held nearly every top position in Albanian politics. Rising to prominence at a young age as a member of Parliament, he went on to serve as Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Minister of the Economy, Energy and Trade, Speaker of Parliament, and most recently, President. Throughout his extensive career, Meta developed a reputation as a strategic political operator, adept at leveraging his influence to shape governments. The support of his party, the Socialist Movement for Integration – recently rebranded as the Freedom Party – was decisive in determining who would govern Albania in 2009 and in 2013. However, alongside his reputation as a skillful politician, Meta and his wife Monika Kryemadhi also gained notoriety for their alleged corruption and abuses of power. Their party’s name became synonymous with bribery and influence peddling. His case serves as a crucial test for Albania’s reformed justice institutions, and Meta’s decision to shift blame onto his wife has been widely criticized as a new low in the saga of Albanian political scandals.


Albania strengthens energy sector through strategic partnerships with Azerbaijan and the UAE

Published on November 19, 2024
In November 2024, during the COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, Albania took significant steps to enhance its energy infrastructure by signing two pivotal agreements. The...

Why does it matter: These agreements are crucial for Albania’s energy diversification and sustainability goals. By collaborating with SOCAR, Albania seeks to introduce natural gas infrastructure to the city of Korca, as a way of enhancing energy security and lowering energy costs. The partnership with Masdar aligns with global trends toward renewable energy, positioning Albania as a proactive participant in the transition to sustainable energy solutions.


Budget 2025: a strategic boost for agriculture and innovation

Published on November 19, 2024
The Albanian government has unveiled its draft budget for 2025, marking a critical step toward bolstering agriculture and rural development. Presented by Minister of Agriculture...

Why does it matter: Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Albania’s economy, employing a significant portion of the workforce and contributing to the country’s exports. However, the sector faces challenges such as climate change, fragmented operations, migration and the need for modernization. The 2025 budget is strategically designed to try to address these issues by encouraging innovation, improving irrigation infrastructure, and introducing schemes that promote collaboration among farmers and businesses. These efforts aim to enhance productivity, ensure food security, and position Albania’s agricultural products more competitively in international markets.