Why is this important: The failed vote deepens Kosovo’s political crisis and brings the country closer to snap elections, likely to be held before the end of the year. The result reflects the deep political divisions within the Assembly and the growing isolation of Kurti and his Vetëvendosje party following months of strained relations with Western allies.

Why is this important: The projects mark major steps toward integrating Albania into the EU’s digital standards and simplifying public services through technology. Citizens will soon be able to use their smartphones as fully functional digital identity cards, while travelers will benefit from faster, contactless border control.

Why is this important: The draft law aims to ensure transparency and traceability in policymaking by legally regulating lobbying, a practice that has long existed in Albania but without oversight. It is designed to align the country with European standards and to combat corruption by requiring full disclosure of lobbying activities and interests.

Why is this important: The OSCE/ODIHR report identified several irregularities and procedural shortcomings but none on a scale that would invalidate the results or indicate systemic manipulation. However, the opposition insists that international observers effectively confirmed all its claims—that the May 11 elections were tainted by irregularities, abuse of state resources, and vote-buying. Berisha’s statement suggests that, much like after previous elections, he plans to use the report as a pretext for escalating political confrontation and launching protests. Analysts interpret this as an attempt to shift attention away from his party’s heavy electoral defeat and deflect responsibility for the loss.

Why is this important: The Mountain Package was designed to boost agricultural and agrotourism investments in Albania’s mountain regions. For decades, thousands of former property owners have been unable to reclaim ownership due to complex restitution processes dating back to the communist expropriations. The law sought to address this 35-year paradox by allowing investments on inherited lands based on the testimony of neighboring landowners. If no ownership claims exist, municipalities are authorized to facilitate the cadastral registration process, unlocking development potential in these areas.

Why is this important: The report provides an authoritative international benchmark for the integrity of Albania’s elections. While acknowledging the professional administration of the process, the report underlines deep structural inequalities, political pressure, and misuse of administrative resources — recurring issues in Albania’s electoral landscape.

Why is this important: Rama’s statement came during a joint appearance with Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić at Chatham House, where both leaders spoke on the Western Balkans’ European future. The issue of migration unexpectedly stole the spotlight when Spajić appeared more open to the idea of hosting migrant facilities if matched by European investment — a remark that prompted a sharp, ironic response from Rama.

Why is this important: Over three decades, Albanian lawmakers have turned to the Venice Commission for opinions on key constitutional and legal issues — from the first efforts to draft a new Constitution in 1993 to recent cases such as that of the former foreign minister where the Commission was asked to weigh the balance between parliamentary independence and Constitutional Court rulings. Although the Commission’s opinions are advisory, they have been crucial in shaping Albania’s constitutional and institutional development.

Why is this important: The arrest of a defense lawyer for simply protesting to follow the legal course against a prosecutor, has sparked a wave of outrage among the legal community, which called it an alarming escalation and a dangerous precedent. The National Bar Association described it as the “institutionalization of a prosecutors’ state,” and insisted that Bajrami was simply fulfilling his professional duty by exposing alleged misconduct in the prosecution’s evidence.