In Focus
News in short
Electric scooter ban tes Effect Monday Across Albania

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.
In Focus
1. BIG wins international competition to design Albania’s “Faith Park” in Tirana

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.
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Electric scooter ban tes Effect Monday Across Albania

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

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.
Albania welcomed over 10 million tourists in first 9 months of 2025

Albania in historic win over Serbia in Leskovac, takes major step toward 2026 World Cup

Why is this important: The win puts Albania firmly on course for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, moving to 11 points, four ahead of Serbia, which has a game in hand. The match was charged with emotion, marked by a tense atmosphere, tactical discipline, and hostile chants against Kosovo — but in the end, it was Albania that celebrated, handing Serbia a defeat its fans will not forget.
Japanese Cultural Week brings the spirit of Japan to Tirana

Serbia on edge ahead of Albania match: Federation chief warns of FIFA sanctions

Why is this important: The Belgrade incident remains one of the most controversial moments in European football. While the game in Tirana proceeded without any problems, the meeting in Serbia is awaited with anxiety and authorities are determined to prevent any repeat that could bring severe FIFA sanctions — including a multi-year suspension from international competitions.
Dutch Cultural Week in Tirana brings art, sport, and dialogue

Consumer prices up 2.4% in September, driven by housing and utilities

Why is this important: The rise marks a continuation of moderate inflation within the central bank’s target range, signaling stable consumer demand but also persistent pressure from housing and energy costs. Inflation remains one of the key indicators of the cost of living in Albania.
Moody’s reaffirms Albania’s credit rating at Ba3 with a stable outlook

Why is this important: The reaffirmation strengthens investor confidence in Albania’s economy and signals continued trust in the government’s fiscal management as the country advances toward EU integration.
Constitutional Court suspends President Begaj’s decree on Tirana elections

Why is this important: This ruling adds another dramatic chapter to the Veliaj saga, which has dominated Albanian politics since the mayor’s arrest and suspension. The Constitutional Court’s decision effectively overturns the President’s decree to call elections in Tirana, a decree that had surprised many jurists at the time. Legal experts had described the reasoning of President Begaj’s advisers as overly creative, arguing that they had stretched procedural interpretations to justify holding elections even while Veliaj’s appeal was pending. Now, the Court’s unanimous suspension delivers a direct blow to the President, and an indirect one to the Prime Minister and the Socialist majority, who were eager to move forward quickly with a new political chapter in the capital.
All latest stories
BIG wins international competition to design Albania’s “Faith Park” in Tirana

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.
Albania welcomed over 10 million tourists in first 9 months of 2025

Albania in historic win over Serbia in Leskovac, takes major step toward 2026 World Cup

Why is this important: The win puts Albania firmly on course for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, moving to 11 points, four ahead of Serbia, which has a game in hand. The match was charged with emotion, marked by a tense atmosphere, tactical discipline, and hostile chants against Kosovo — but in the end, it was Albania that celebrated, handing Serbia a defeat its fans will not forget.
Japanese Cultural Week brings the spirit of Japan to Tirana

Serbia on edge ahead of Albania match: Federation chief warns of FIFA sanctions

Why is this important: The Belgrade incident remains one of the most controversial moments in European football. While the game in Tirana proceeded without any problems, the meeting in Serbia is awaited with anxiety and authorities are determined to prevent any repeat that could bring severe FIFA sanctions — including a multi-year suspension from international competitions.
Dutch Cultural Week in Tirana brings art, sport, and dialogue

Consumer prices up 2.4% in September, driven by housing and utilities

Why is this important: The rise marks a continuation of moderate inflation within the central bank’s target range, signaling stable consumer demand but also persistent pressure from housing and energy costs. Inflation remains one of the key indicators of the cost of living in Albania.
Moody’s reaffirms Albania’s credit rating at Ba3 with a stable outlook

Why is this important: The reaffirmation strengthens investor confidence in Albania’s economy and signals continued trust in the government’s fiscal management as the country advances toward EU integration.
Constitutional Court suspends President Begaj’s decree on Tirana elections

Why is this important: This ruling adds another dramatic chapter to the Veliaj saga, which has dominated Albanian politics since the mayor’s arrest and suspension. The Constitutional Court’s decision effectively overturns the President’s decree to call elections in Tirana, a decree that had surprised many jurists at the time. Legal experts had described the reasoning of President Begaj’s advisers as overly creative, arguing that they had stretched procedural interpretations to justify holding elections even while Veliaj’s appeal was pending. Now, the Court’s unanimous suspension delivers a direct blow to the President, and an indirect one to the Prime Minister and the Socialist majority, who were eager to move forward quickly with a new political chapter in the capital.
A week of German culture in Albania: from street festival to Bach and Blues
