Albania
Albanian lek hits record high against euro
Lek soars against the European single currency, boosted by seasonal inflows from tourism, rising foreign investment and Albania’s tight fiscal policy,
Economy a key battleground as Albania heads for general election
Prime Minister Edi Rama and opposition leader Sali Berisha are trading barbs over growth, taxes and the cost of living.
Press freedom declines sharply in several Balkan countries
Declines reported in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania in the latest global ranking from Reporters Without Borders.
Albania’s 2025 general election to test democratic institutions
May 11 vote follows changes to the electoral system and the introduction of out-of-country voting, points out OSCE/ODIHR report.
Think-tank urges EU to consider 'Big Bang' enlargement and sweeping reforms
European Policy Centre analysts call on the EU to abandon its piecemeal, hesitant approach to enlargement and commit to ‘permachange’: a permanent state of adaptation in response to cascading crises.
Western Balkan states increase use of surveillance, censorship to suppress opponents
Use of biometric surveillance and facial recognition technologies is expanding rapidly across the Balkans, according to a new BIRN report.
Trump policies won’t harm Emerging Europe badly – and will actively benefit Russia
Latest wiiw forecasts show little direct impact on Central and Southeast Europe from Trump trade wars.
Albania probes Democratic Party’s $6mn US lobbying contract
Investigation into Democrats' contract with former Trump lawyer launched days before Albania's May general election.
Montenegro mega beach deal reignites debate over UAE investments in Western Balkans
A plan to develop Montenegro’s Velika Plaza beach has become the latest battleground in a growing backlash against UAE-backed real estate deals across the Western Balkans.
Sanctioned Balkan politicians step up lobbying of Trump administration
After the US dropped sanctions on Hungary’s Antal Rogan, politicians from Albania, Bosnia and Bulgaria want similar decisions in their favour.
New study reveals extent of Russian disinformation targeting Emerging Europe
'Pravda network' targeting regions of geopolitical interest for the Kremlin with negative impact on democracy and regional stability.
Western Balkans countries struggle to reverse demographic decline
Governments turn to short-term fixes and immigration push to tackle deepening demographic crisis but shy away from deeper reforms, says OSW report.
BALKAN BLOG: Albania’s moment to make a push for EU accession
Albania has a realistic chance of joining the EU by the end of this decade.
COMMENT: Reforms and enlargement must go together for the Western Balkans
If the EU cannot deliver progress in accession, it risks undermining the incentive for countries to continue reforming.
Feathers fly as top Albanian politicians trade owl-themed insults
PM Edi Rama calls opposition leader Sali Berisha a "swamp owl" ahead of May general election; Berisha says the bird is a symbol of wisdom.
Durana tech park launches in Albanian capital
PM Edi Rama hopes new tech park to ultimately bring €0.5bn in budget revenues by backing Albanian tech talent.
The rise of war-hardened Balkan crime groups in South America’s cocaine market
Global Initiative report reveals organised crime groups from the Western Balkans have firmly embedded themselves in South America’s cocaine trade.
Albania and Montenegro could conclude EU accession talks by 2026-27, enlargement commissioner says
But Marta Kos warns "external forces" actively seeking to block certain countries from EU accession.
Ukraine and Balkans ravaged by wildfires in 2024
Wildfires ravaged large swathes of land across Ukraine and the Balkans, with Ukraine suffering the highest recorded damage of any country in the region, said the EU's European Forest Fire Information System.
Albanian journalists and rights groups challenge TikTok ban in court
The government ordered internet providers to block TikTok for one year from March 13, citing safety concerns.