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Erion Veliaj heads to Constitutional Court as Venice Commission warns against overreach

Published on October 30, 2025
The Constitutional Court will hold a hearing tomorrow on the case of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj, just days after the Venice Commission issued a critical...

Why is this important: Erion Veliaj’s legal team is expected to use the Venice Commission’s findings to argue that the government’s decision to dismiss him violates fundamental democratic principles. The Commission states clearly: suspension or removal of elected officials is an extraordinary measure — not to be used unless serious misconduct is proven. This case could set a precedent for how local autonomy is protected in Albania.


Syria recognizes Kosovo in major diplomatic reversal

Published on October 30, 2025
In a surprise diplomatic shift, Syria has officially recognized Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state following a trilateral meeting in Riyadh with Saudi Crown...

Why is this important: The move marks a rare reversal for Syria, which had previously backed Serbia’s stance on Kosovo and opposed its independence. For Kosovo, it is a key win in its ongoing push for global recognition — especially from countries aligned with Russia, Serbia’s main backer. The recognition came with Saudi Arabia’s direct mediation, highlighting Riyadh’s growing role as a geopolitical broker.


Albania and Italy to finalize major bilateral deals in Rome summit

Published on October 30, 2025
Albania and Italy will hold a high-level intergovernmental meeting on November 13 in Rome, with Prime Ministers Edi Rama and Giorgia Meloni joined by 10...

Why is this important: The meeting marks a major milestone in strengthening strategic ties between the two countries, with agreements expected to deepen cooperation in energy exports, migration management, and social protections for Albanians in Italy.


Albania-EU Stabilization Committee urges unity as EU talks near final chapter

Published on October 30, 2025
With accession negotiations entering their final chapter, Albania’s Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee closed its two-day session in Tirana by calling for intensified reforms and...

Why is this important: This marked one of the strongest public endorsements yet for political unity on EU matters, with both government and opposition members praising the national consensus behind membership goals—even as sharp disagreements flared over justice issues and electoral legitimacy.


Edi Rama criticizes Europe’s focus on armament, calls for a vision of peace at Riyadh Forum

Published on October 28, 2025
During the 9th Future Investment Initiative Forum in Riyadh, Prime Minister Edi Rama voiced concern that European leaders are increasingly focused on rearmament rather than...

Why is this important: Rama’s remarks reflect growing unease among some European leaders about the militarization of EU policy in response to global tensions. Speaking on a panel titled “Is Humanity Going in the Right Direction?”, he criticized what he called a “deeply wrong approach” by the European Union.


Constitutional Court to review Erion Veliaj’s appeals on dismissal and Tirana election decree

Published on October 28, 2025
The Constitutional Court will hold a public session on Friday, October 31, to review two appeals filed by Erion Veliaj, the jailed mayor of Tirana....

Why is this important: Veliaj is challenging both the Council of Ministers’ decision to dismiss him—issued in late September upon proposal by the Tirana Municipal Council—and the presidential decree setting the date for partial elections in Tirana. The mayor argues his dismissal was unconstitutional since his absence from office for over three months was due to his pretrial detention, an “objective reason” that, he claims, cannot justify removal from office. Just a week after the dismissal decree, Veliaj filed a second appeal, arguing that the president should have waited for the Constitutional Court’s ruling before calling new elections.


Altin Dumani faces fiery parliamentary hearing as SPAK chief nears end of term

Published on October 28, 2025
With just two months left in his mandate, SPAK chief Altin Dumani spent nearly two hours facing opposition MPs in Parliament, presenting the Special Prosecution’s...

Why is this important: Under Dumani’s leadership, SPAK has launched and pursued high-profile investigations involving senior politicians and figures from organized crime, making his report one of the most closely watched sessions of the year. The hearing also marked the first time Dumani and opposition leader Sali Berisha, currently indicted for corruption, appeared in the same parliamentary hall. Berisha has accused Dumani of leading what he calls “a political justice campaign” and frequently labels him “the head of organized crime.”


Albin Kurti’s election warning seen as political pressure amid widening isolation

Published on October 28, 2025
Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti has warned that the country could face two parliamentary elections within months, a statement widely interpreted as an attempt...

Why is this important: Kurti’s comments came a day after his third-term proposal failed in parliament, receiving only 56 votes in favor, five short of the required majority. He suggested that Kosovo could head to elections in both winter and spring, given that the presidential election is due in April 2026. Yet, observers say this warning underscores a pattern of political brinkmanship that has characterized Kurti’s leadership since his rise to power.


EU Enlargement chief urges Albania to finalize negotiations with opening of last chapter

Published on October 28, 2025
The European Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, has called on Albania to take the final step in its EU accession process by opening the last...

Why is this important: This would mark the formal completion of the chapter-opening stage in Albania’s EU integration talks, putting the country among the frontrunners in the Western Balkans enlargement process. The cluster on agriculture and food safety is considered one of the most technically demanding, requiring alignment with complex EU standards on production, inspection, and consumer protection.


Electric vehicle charging tariff rises sharply from November 1

Published on October 28, 2025
Albania’s Energy Regulatory Authority (ERE) has approved a significant increase in the price of electricity used to charge electric vehicles. From November 1, tariff will...

Why is this important: The new tariff means that charging a 60 kWh battery — which previously cost around 840 ALL — will now cost 1,320 ALL, and up to 1,518 ALL during peak hours. This represents an increase of 57% to 81%, a jump that could affect both private EV owners and commercial operators.