Albania | Balkan Insight

Leaving Albania, the Country’s Youth Seek a More Stable Future

An inability to plan for the future is driving many young, educated Albanians to leave their homeland; experts say the government will have to address the trend sooner or later.

Week in Review: Boom and Bust

From politics to the media business, high expectations often go hand-in-hand with disappointments big and small, as our selection of Balkan Insight Premium stories this week shows.

Battling Graft Charges, Tirana Mayor Stages Online Charm Offensive

When Tirana mayor and Socialist Party rising star Erion Veliaj was arrested on corruption charges, he lashed out against the judiciary. Now he’s running a social media PR campaign to charm the public. Can it work?

BIRN Reality Check: Albanian Prosecutors Still Can’t Identify ‘Hazardous Waste’ Cargo

In October 2024, a shipment of containers with suspected hazardous waste was returned to Albania. But prosecutors haven't yet managed to analyse their contents because they say they're unable to find the necessary laboratory services.

Expensive Lesson: Italy Weighs Costs of Offshore Migrant Centres in Albania

Already repurposed due to legal challenges, Italy’s asylum centres in Albania cost more than originally planned and much more than similar facilities in Italy itself, offering a potential lesson for other European governments tempted to take the same route.

Activists Condemn Secret Migrant Deportations from Albania

Activists have condemned as “illegal” the deportation back to Egypt of five people from an Italian-run migrant holding camp in Albania.

Week in Review: SLAPPs, Surveillance and Smuggling Networks

Our selection of Premium stories this week takes a look at the region’s slow-burning political crises, smuggling networks, digital surveillance and a whole lot more.

EU Document Urges Albania to Address Political Pressure on Judiciary

A leaked internal document from the Council of the European Union voices disquiet over 'undue pressure' on justice system and warns that Albania will not be able to close any accession chapters until it makes clear progress.

Balkan States Evacuate Citizens from Israel Amid Escalating Conflict

As Israel and Iran continued to exchange fire, sparking fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East, several Balkan countries have transported their citizens home by plane.

Communist-Era Inmates Fight to Preserve Remains of Albania’s Dark Past

A move to turn the site of the former Spac labour camp in northern Albania into a film set has revived calls for better protection of what’s left of Albania’s dark communist past.

Albanian Cigarette Smuggling Case Exposes Customs Service Complicity

For years, a tobacco factory in eastern Albania churned out cigarettes that were then smuggled to other countries, all with the help of a network of corrupt customs officials, prosecutors allege.

Albania’s Tourism Industry is Booming, But at What Cost?

Critics are questioning the impact of Albania’s tourism boom on the environment and the lives of ordinary Albanians.

With their Healthcare System in Decline, Some Albanians Look to Kosovo

Albanians in the north say they find cheaper treatment and a more pleasant experience if they go to hospital across the border in Kosovo.

Village Schools Left Behind by Albania’s Digital Rollout

Schools in rural parts of Albania are being left behind when it comes to the use of digital tools in teaching and communication.

Makeover of Communist-Era Albanian Jail as Film Set Angers Survivors

The decision to use the former Spac labour camp to shoot a film – and repaint some of the buildings – has enraged former inmates and activists who say the works threaten to alter history.

‘I’m Both’: Film Explores Experience of ‘Generation B’ Albanians in Greece

In Albgreko, a short documentary, the children and grandchildren of Albanians immigrants in Greece speak of feeling both Albanian and Greek in ways that those who came in the 1990s never could.

Share Your Experience: Ukrainian Refugees’ Integration in the Balkans, Spain, Poland, Italy

Did you leave Ukraine after the full-scale invasion started in February 2022? Did you find refuge in one of the Balkan countries? Did you manage to integrate? Tell us your story.

Italy Sends Second Migrant Ship to Albania Following Legal Changes

After encountering legal obstacles to its plans to offshore migrant processing to Albania, Itay has sent a second ship with some 27 migrants on board to the Gjader centre following changes to the rules.

Mystery of ‘Ghost Analyst’ Intrigues Albanian Media

Following Albania’s elections this month, an incendiary opinion piece by a political analyst called Helen Bratt went viral. But then people started to raise questions about the author’s identity.

After Albania’s Election: Defeated Democratic Party Badly in Need of ‘New People’

In the second of a two-part series on Albania's post-election political landscape, BIRN looks at why, after another devastating loss, the Democratic Party risks irrelevance without root-and-branch reform.

After Albania’s Election: Socialists’ Huge Majority Rings Alarm for Democracy

With 83 of parliament’s 140 seats, the ruling Socialists have never been stronger. In the first of a series on Albania's post-election political landscape, BIRN examines how democratic standards and the struggle against corruption could be affected.

Fight to Protect Albania’s ‘Wild River’ Isn’t Over, Say Environmental Prize-Winners

Activists Olsi Nika and Besjana Guri tell BIRN they see their prestigious international prize as fresh motivation to continue their campaign to save one of Europe’s last wild rivers from development.

Italy-Albania Police Operation Nets 40 Suspected Drug Traffickers

Joint police investigation results in arrest of 40 members of three gangs allegedly involved in cocaine and heroin trafficking and money laundering, including one gang based in Durres, Albania.

Thwarting Opposition Hopes, Albania’s Socialists Win Big Abroad

Albania’s well-organised ruling party worked hard to mobilise voters abroad for an election that for the first time featured postal ballots. It paid off.

Lawyers and Journalists Need Protection, Urges Council of Europe Chief

The secretary-general of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, tells BIRN why the European rights body recently adopted the first-ever international treaty aimed at protecting lawyers from harassment and threats.

Young Voters Must Stop Albania Stagnating and Lead the Way to the EU

The low youth turnout at Albania’s parliamentary election was an alarm call. Without young voices demanding reform, the country cannot tackle corruption and democratic backsliding, end the brain drain and move towards EU membership.

Share Your Experience: Menstrual Poverty in the Balkans and France

Are you a woman saving up on menstrual products? Trying to make them last longer than prescribed, or using reusable products? Tell us your story.

Albania’s Small Parties Defy Odds to Challenge Electoral Duopoly

Despite an electoral system designed to keep them down, small parties won almost 10 per cent of the votes and a few seats in the parliamentary elections – taking on the big parties’ stranglehold on Albanian politics.

Albanian Opposition Rejects Election Results as Socialists Score Major Victory

After Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Socialist Party won a record fourth term in office with a big majority, opposition Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha said he would refuse to accept the results and announced a street protest.

Free and Fair? Albania’s Flawed Election Reflects Worrying Global Trend

In a world where interest-driven foreign policies take precedence over democratic standards, the abuses documented during Albania’s parliamentary election are unlikely to meet much criticism – allowing the ruling Socialist Party to consolidate power.

International Observers Condemn ‘Abusive Practices’ in Albania’s Elections

International observers criticised 'widespread intimidation and abuse of public resources' in Sunday's election – which Edi Rama's ruling Socialist Party looks set to win by a landslide.

Edi Rama’s Socialist Party Leads in Albanian Parliamentary Elections

With vote-counting continuing from Sunday’s election, Prime Minister Edi Rama’s party appears to be on track to win an unprecedented fourth term in office, although Sali Berisha’s opposition Democratic Party is showing gains.

Balkan Church Leaders Embrace Leo, the First American Pope

Balkan members of the Catholic Church have praised “broad-minded, spontaneous” Pope Leo XIV for his education, experience and openness.

Diaspora Vote and New Parties Bring Air of Uncertainty to Albanian Election

The Socialists and Democrats are still likely to dominate the Albanian political landscape after elections on May 11, but a cluster of new parties and the introduction of diaspora postal votes are threatening to shake things up.

‘Third Parties’: Albanian Election Campaign Marred by Online Scheming

Anonymous social media accounts, a lack of financial transparency and the unethical use of AI could have an impact on voter opinion ahead of Albania’s May 11 parliamentary election, BIRN has found.

Albanian Ex-Negotiator Says PM’s Pledge of EU Accession in 2030 ‘Delusional’

In an interview with BIRN, Zef Mazi, Albania’s former chief negotiator with the EU, poured cold water on Prime Minister Edi Rama’s election promise of EU accession by 2030.

RSF Report: Media Freedom Tumbling in Most Balkan Countries

Press freedom has continued a downward slide in most Balkan countries according to the latest report by Reporters Without Borders – although Albania, Montenegro and Serbia have bucked the trend.

Italy Queried Over Fate of 16 ‘Missing’ Migrants Outsourced to Albania

Opposition MP demands answers after a visit to the Italian-run Repatriation and Detention Centre in Albania revealed that 16 out of 41 migrants sent there two weeks ago had gone.

Surveillance and Censorship Worsening in Western Balkans: BIRN Report

New report shows governments in the region increasingly use technology to suppress dissent, filter content, restrict access to digital platforms and carry out mass and targeted surveillance.

Digital Divide: The Albanians Left Behind by Move to Online Public Services

Albania has moved almost all of its public administration online, yet the elderly, those with disabilities, and others who lack the necessary digital skills risk being locked out if authorities do not step up support.

Challenging Justice: Albanian Parties Field Candidates Facing Corruption Charges

Promises to clean up politics - and not run candidates with suspected or proven crime links - seem to have been dumped by both main parties contesting next month’s parliamentary election.

Balkan Leaders Express Sorrow After Death of Pope Francis

Balkan leaders and Catholic believers across the region voiced their condolences after the death of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 on Easter Monday after a period of ill-health.

Albanians Remember ‘Extraordinary Woman’ Who Endured Torture for Her Faith

A Catholic nun who was persecuted as an enemy of the Communist regime in her short lifetime, Marie Tuci is today widely honoured in Albania as both a saint and a symbol of courage.

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: April 14, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

BIRN Fact-Check: Is Albanian PM’s Promise of 2030 EU Accession Realistic?

Experts say the Albanian prime minister’s pledge to secure membership of the EU by 2030 is little more than a “fairytale” for the electorate ahead of elections in May.

Italy Sends More Migrants to Albania After Change of Plan

A new shipload of migrants from Italy arrived in Albania on Friday after the Rome government changed the rules on the use of its detention centre in the Balkan country after previous legal setbacks to the offshoring project.

Albania’s ‘Elite Tourism’ Pits David Against Goliath in Fight for Water

In southwestern Albania, a government plan to harness a village’s natural springs for the needs of a luxury tourism development has locals up in arms.

Albanian TikTok Shutdown Tool Raises Privacy Concerns

Albania’s cyber security authority said it will use Deep Packet Inspection to enforce the government's TikTok ban – but experts say the use of the technology has no legal basis in Albania and could be used for censorship.

Arrested Albanian Mayor Accused of Running ‘Disturbing’ PR Campaign From Jail

Published wiretaps appear to show that Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj, who is facing corruption charges, has been running a publicity campaign using cronies in the mass media to target his perceived enemies in the justice system.

Albania Failing to Eradicate Banned Pesticides from Agricultural Products

When it comes to banning pesticides, Albania takes its cue from the EU, yet substances deemed dangerous to human health are still being used years later.

Balkan Countries Weigh Potential Damage Inflicted by Trump’s Tariffs

Serbia, Bosnia and North Macedonia were the Balkan countries worst hit by the new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump as he sought to boost the American economy at the expense of its trading partners.

Follow Me: Albania’s Politicians Sharpen Social Media Skills as Election Looms

Ahead of polls in May, warring politicians are focusing their campaigning on social networks – which are steadily displacing traditional media as ways of persuading voters.

Balkan Crime Groups Tightening Grip on South American Drug Trade: Report

Organised crime groups from the Western Balkans are emerging as key players in smuggling cocaine from Latin America, according to a new report.

‘Make Albania Great’: Opposition Chief Plots Return with Trump-Style Campaign

Opposition leader Sali Berisha hopes that borrowing MAGA-style rhetoric will bring him victory in May’s elections – but many experts doubt that will work.

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 31, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

Money Laundering Causes Poverty, Income Disparity in Balkans, Says BIRN Film

A new BIRN documentary shows how money laundering has been increasing poverty, prices and income inequality in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Diaspora Vote Might Shake Up Albanian Politics, But Big Parties Likely to Prevail

For the first time, Albanians abroad will be able to vote by post in the country’s May parliamentary election; some hope the change will help end the domination of the two big parties, but experts are not so sure.

Jailed Albanian Mayor Hires US Law Firm That Worked for Trump

While behind bars and under investigation for graft and money laundering, Tirana mayor Erion Veliaj and his businessman brother have engaged hard-hitting New York law firm Kasowitz Benson Torres to assist his case.

Albanian Rights Organisations Take TikTok Ban to Court

BIRN Albania, along with a civil rights group and a journalists' association, have urged the country's top court to declare a controversial law banning TikTok in Albania for a year unconstitutional.

Italy to Albania, and Back: A Migrant’s Journey Through Italy’s Asylum Experiment

Italy’s right-wing government called it a magic wand for the migrants arriving on its shores, but a deal with Albania to outsource and accelerate asylum processing has run afoul of Italian courts. Critics say it flies in the face of international humanitarian law.

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 23, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

Albanian Orthodox Church Gets First Ethnic Albanian Leader in Generations

The new Primate will need to be savvy, navigating between conflicting pro-Russian and pro-Ukrainian currents in the small but opinionated Albanian Orthodox Church.

Albania’s Controversial TikTok Ban Still Not Fully Working

A government order to ban TikTok to protect children from violent material came into force more than a week ago, but the mobile phone app for the video-sharing platform is still partially working in Albania.

Serbia Angered by Defence Pact Linking Croatia, Albania and Kosovo

A defence agreement between Croatia, Albania and Kosovo, calling for joint responses to common security challenges, has drawn a furious response from Serbia, which called it a threatening move.

News or PR? In Edi Rama’s Albania, It’s Hard to Tell the Difference

Under Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Socialist Party, Albania’s government has been bombarding the media with carefully curated PR packages that air as ‘news’.

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 17, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

Albania Appeal Court Orders Tirana Mayor to Stay in Custody

Appeals court dismisses plea to release the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, who is in detention as charges of corruption and money laundering are investigated.

Communist-Era Bunkers Leave Lasting Mark on Albania’s Landscape

Albania’s communist-era military bunkers – now a tourist attraction but also a reource for experimental artists – are dotted everywhere, from beaches to mountain tops.

Albanian Ministry Confirms One-Year Ban on TikTok ‘to Protect Children’

Albania's Minister of Education confirmed the prime minister's previous announcement of a year-long ban on social media site TikTok, saying that it will be imposed within days.

Drita Hajdari: Pioneering Prosecutor Who Battled Injustice in Kosovo

After a career littered with firsts, retired Kosovo prosecutor Drita Hajdari says the pursuit of justice for the crimes committed during the collapse of Yugoslavia is far from over.

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: March 3, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

Justice and Realpolitik: Trump, Thaci and the Kosovo Special Court

Donald Trump’s sympathy for Hashim Thaci – and his propensity to take bold action – could end the ordeal of Kosovo’s former president before the Hague court, over which the US has significant leverage.

PM’s Attacks on Prosecutors Turn Albania’s Justice Reform Into Election Issue

Following the arrest of a key ally, Prime Minister Edi Rama has launched a campaign targeting the judiciary in a bid to turn the tables ahead of May’s elections, experts say.

Serbian Prosecutors Move Against Construction Graft, on President’s Order

For years, prosecutors in Serbia have been sitting on evidence of graft in the Belgrade real estate sector. Only when the country’s embattled president announced a crackdown on corruption was the man at the top finally arrested.

Albanian Mayor Takes Aim at Corruption Prosecutor from Detention

Tirana’s mayor Erion Veliaj, who is in custody facing corruption charges, has been mounting daily verbal assaults on his case prosecutor and the judge via his social media accounts.

At an Albanian Market, Fruit, Veg and Claims of Organised Crime

In Albania’s Elbasan, prosecutors say the town’s only fruit and vegetable market is the base of a powerful organised crime gang. That hasn’t stopped the local council from giving its owner permission to expand.

Serbia Arrests Former Mayor of Nis for Alleged Corruption

In the latest in a series of corruption arrests in Serbia, the former mayor of Nis was held for allegedly offering contracts to companies for construction work in the southern Serbian city, bypassing laws on procurement.

Internet Freedoms ‘Deteriorated Again in Southeast Europe in 2024’

AI caused an increase in digital rights violations in 2024 while discrimination, genocide denial and disinformation continued to flourish, a webinar held by BIRN and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom heard.

Balkan Countries Must Respond Proactively to Evolving Cyber Threats: Report

As cyberattacks in the region become ever more sophisticated and daring, Western Balkan governments need to improve their cybersecurity frameworks and cooperate, a new BIRN report warns.

Film Exposes Persecution of Kosovo Albanian Writers in Hoxha’s Albania

Many Albanians in Yugoslavia came to see Albania as a promised land, but Albania’s treatment of ethnic Albanian writers and artists from outside its borders was often brutal.

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 17, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

Mayor’s Arrest Deals Albania’s Ruling Party a Pre-Election Blow

Erion Veliaj’s arrest for alleged corruption, alongside his wife, has enraged the ruling Socialist Party – and could undermine its chances in the May elections. BIRN looks at the charges and their political impact.

Albanian PM Accused of Undermining Special Prosecution’s Independence

After Edi Rama criticised the Special Prosecution over the arrest for alleged corruption of his political ally, Tirana's mayor, the country's top judicial body delivered a stinging rebuke.

Erion Veliaj, Rising Star in Albania, Felled by Corruption Charges

The mayor of Tirana was once tipped to be Albania’s next prime minister. Now he's behind bars after being arrested on graft charges, possibly facing a very different future.

Public Perceptions of Corruption in Balkans Continue to Worsen: Report

Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index makes grim reading for most Balkan countries, with Kosovo and Albania as rare exceptions to a worsening trend.

Tirana Mayor Arrested on Corruption and Money-Laundering Charges

The mayor of Albania's capital, Erion Veliaj, a key figure in the ruling Socialist Party, was arrested on Monday on suspicion of corruption and money-laundering.

Albania Opposition Leader Hires Trump Campaign Manager

Democratic Party says it is 'honoured' that Chris LaCivita, co-manager of Donald Trump's successful campaign for the US presidency, will lead the party's campaign for the May parliamentary elections.

Monday Briefing from the Balkans: February 10, 2025

Catch up on the weekend’s most important developments with Balkan Insight’s digest of news from countries across the region.

Bird-Hunting Tourism Threatens to Wipe Out Balkan Quails

Routine use of illegal ‘lures’ by visiting European hunters who love to shoot migrating birds in the Balkans is pushing some species to the brink – while weak policing allows the crime to continue unchecked, conservationists warn.

Balkan Cold Cases #3: Young Men Killed in Crackdown as Albanian Communism Fell

When police attacked the first demonstrations against Albania’s repressive communist regime in April 1991, four students were killed. The officials who were initially convicted were amnestied, and there has never been a proper investigation into what happened.