Albanian politics
Socialist leader Edi Rama defends candidate lists: “With closed lists, we open up the party!”
One day after submitting the Socialist Party’s (SP) candidate lists to the Central Election Commission (KQZ), Prime Minister Edi Rama publicly explained the methodology and philosophy behind the selection of...
Democratic Party presents “Alliance for a Majestic Albania” coalition
The Democratic Party has officially unveiled the “Alliance for a Majestic Albania” coalition. There are 26 parties in the coalition, that Berisha described as the strongest coalition in three decades...
Angry courtroom exchange: SPAK prosecutor hurls insults at Erion Veliaj, sparking controversy
A newly published excerpt from the court session involving Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has raised serious questions about the behavior of the prosecutor and the integrity of the judicial process....
Editorial note: Erion Veliaj case becomes political thriller as SPAK faces growing backlash
The arrest of Tirana’s mayor, Erion Veliaj, was expected to be contentious. Veliaj is one of the most senior Socialist officials, a three-time popular mayor of Tirana credited with the...
SPAK and GJKKO furious over Veliaj supporters’ protest, fueling accusations of double standards
SPAK and the Special Court Against Corruption (GJKKO) have reacted furiously to the presence of Erion Veliaj’s supporters outside the court during his detention hearing and the lack of a...
Prime Minister criticizes SPAK over Tirana Mayor’s arrest, refuses to dismiss him
Prime Minister Edi Rama declared on Tuesday that he will not dismiss Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana, following his arrest by the Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime...
Tirana Mayor’s arrest sparks controversy and accusations of political bias against SPAK
Erion Veliaj, the Mayor of Tirana and a top figure in Albania’s Socialist Party (SP), was arrested on Monday on charges of passive corruption and money laundering. The arrest, just...
Sali Berisha hires Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign consultant for May 11 elections
Chris LaCivita, the political consultant credited with Donald Trump’s successful 2024 U.S. presidential campaign, has been contracted by Albania’s Democratic Party (PD) to lead its campaign for the May 11...
Fierce rivalries erupt among new Albanian political parties, undermining reformist image
An escalating series of public feuds among leaders of Albania’s new political parties is threatening their credibility just months before the May 11 elections. Following a very public clash between...
Berisha vows to disband SPAK if elected on May 11
Sali Berisha has pledged to dissolve Albania’s Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) if he wins the May 11 elections. Berisha claims SPAK is a politically compromised organization, accusing its head, Altin...