Why is this important: Kosovo has been without new governing institutions for nearly five months since the February 9 election, with political infighting delaying the formation of the Assembly. The prolonged impasse is not only a constitutional crisis but is also weighing heavily on public trust and the economy, as key state functions remain in limbo.

Why is this important: At the peak of Albania’s May 11 local election campaign, media reports surfaced revealing a $6 million, two-year lobbying contract signed on behalf of the Democratic Party. The aim: to influence U.S. policymakers and, allegedly, reverse sanctions imposed by the U.S. State Department on DP leader Sali Berisha and his family. Though DP has not confirmed this as the motive, the case quickly drew scrutiny due to its scope, political implications, and lack of financial transparency.

Why is this important: A decade ago, Albania welcomed only a few hundred thousand visitors. In the last two years, over 10 million tourists from around the world have visited, drawn by upgraded infrastructure, stunning natural diversity packed into just 28,000 square kilometers, warm hospitality, and rich cuisine. Albania’s rapid ascent is now gaining recognition on the global stage.

Why is this important: This marks a turning point in international asset recovery. Criminals with links to Albania who launder profits through properties or assets in the country will no longer find it a safe haven. European governments are increasingly working with Albanian authorities to trace, seize, and repatriate illicit wealth—especially in cases involving transnational drug trafficking.

Why is this important: The move ends years of complaints over shrinking public beach space and rising private charges. Now, all Albanian beaches must offer free, accessible areas equipped with minimum infrastructure: restrooms, showers, lifeguards, and changing cabins.

Why is this important: The movement of capital and businesses from Kosovo to neighboring markets—especially Albania—signals declining investor confidence in domestic conditions. AKB reports that over 600 Kosovo-owned enterprises are now operating in Albania. The exodus is attributed to policy failures, legal uncertainty, and lack of institutional support in Kosovo.

Why is this important: The growing number of arrivals signals another busy summer for the Albanian tourism sector, with implications for infrastructure readiness, service capacity, and the economy. The steady rise in domestic and foreign visitor numbers reaffirms Albania’s emergence as a prime Mediterranean destination.

Why is this important: Described as a “jewel of the Mediterranean,” Sazan Island is now at the center of a $1 billion investment led by Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump. The plan has generated global interest not only because of the Trump family’s involvement, but also due to the site’s untouched natural beauty and strategic location between the Adriatic and Ionian seas.

Why is this important: The warm and lighthearted encounter between the two leaders underscores the close rapport between Rama and Rutte, the former Dutch Prime Minister who recently took over as NATO Secretary General.

Why is this important: The recount, requested by DP and approved by its own members in the Commission of Appeals and Sanctions (CAS), has so far unearthed only marginal, human errors—common in any manual counting process and well within international standards. In fact, in a plurality of cases, the errors seem to have favored the Democratic Party itself. The discrepancy between their public accusations and the reality of the vote count is striking. This undercuts Berisha’s repeated claims that the Socialist Party rigged the election and turns the spotlight inward.