Home - Exit - Explaining Albania

Outrage After Albanian Politician And Academic Sexually Harasses Female Journalist

Skënder Gjinushi, the new head of the Albanian Academy of Sciences, as well as head of the Social Democratic Party, has been criticized for his sexist comments towards a female journalist. During a press conference after being elected into his new position, which he was the only candidate for, he offended and...

By Alice Elizabeth Taylor 1 hr ago

Albanian Opposition Holds Another Protest Demanding Prime Minister’s Resignation

Albania’s opposition is holding another protest today, demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama’s resignation, a transitional government and free and fair elections. Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in front of Prime Minister’s Office chanting...

17 hrs ago

Convicted in Belgium, ‘Bajri’ Criminal Group Member to Serve Sentence in Albania

Safet Bajri, who was convicted in Belgium and arrested in Tirana, will serve his sentence in Albanian prisons. The Court of Appeal of Shkodër decided that Bajri will serve in Albania his sentence of...

Yesterday at 09:57

EU Delegation Attacks President Meta over Justice Reform Critique

On Thursday, the EU Delegation in Tirana launched an unprecedented attack on the office of the Albanian President. Earlier that day President Ilir Meta had voiced his concerns about the progress of the Justice Reform, which has led to a dysfunctional Constitutional Court with a single judge and a High Court where only two judges...

By Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei May 23, 2019

Vetting Statistics Reveal Constitutional And Legal Violations

Recently, together with what appears to have been a small website update, the vetting commission (KPK) has published a Statistical Report covering the rather arbitrary time period February 8, 2018 until April 30, 2019. It is unclear from the report why these dates were chosen, but a cycle of 14 months and 12 days doesn't...

By Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei May 22, 2019

Perspectives

Albanian Politics Is Not As Unique As You Think It Is

By Alice Elizabeth Taylor

The Vetting Commission Judges Violate the Constitution with Impunity

By Arjan Balla

The Government Has Failed LGBTI Albanians

By Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei

Tirana Pride 2019 And Why Albania Needs It

By The Balkanista

Deficient Justice Reform Legislation Puts Credibility of Constitutional Court at Risk

By Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei

For the Opposition, Escalation Should Not Be the Only Option

By Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei

Frontex Is an Assault on Albanian Sovereignty

This week, European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex launched its first full operation outside the EU, in...

By Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei Yesterday at 15:28

Albanian High Court Down to Two Judges, Becomes Completely Dysfunctional

The Albanian High Court has become completely dysfunctional yesterday, after the Special Appeals Chamber (KPA) dismissed judge Edmond...

May 23, 2019

President Meta Unsatisfied with Implementation of Justice Reform and Work of EURALIUS

President Ilir Meta expressed his dissatisfaction with the implementation of justice reform and work of the EU-financed EURALIUS...

May 23, 2019

Disappointed Young Generation Won’t Participate in Elections, Survey Finds

57 per cent of young people in Tirana will not vote in the June local elections. The findings...

May 22, 2019

EU Police to Tackle Migration and Crime Across Albanian–Greek Border

The EU border police will patrol Albania’s border to tackle illegal migration and cross-border crime. Today, the European...

May 21, 2019

Vetting Commission Suspends Opening New Cases

In a decision from May 7, 2019, the Independent Qualification Commission (KPK) has decided to cancel the opening...

By Vincent W.J. van Gerven Oei May 21, 2019

Frontex Is an Assault on Albanian Sovereignty

This week, European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex launched its first full operation outside the EU, in Albania. Albania is the first country to...

Yesterday at 15:28

Albanian High Court Down to Two Judges, Becomes Completely Dysfunctional

The Albanian High Court has become completely dysfunctional yesterday, after the Special Appeals Chamber (KPA) dismissed judge Edmond Islamaj, overturning an earlier verdict of the...

May 23, 2019

President Meta Unsatisfied with Implementation of Justice Reform and Work of EURALIUS

President Ilir Meta expressed his dissatisfaction with the implementation of justice reform and work of the EU-financed EURALIUS mission, which he said has been under...

May 23, 2019

Disappointed Young Generation Won’t Participate in Elections, Survey Finds

57 per cent of young people in Tirana will not vote in the June local elections. The findings of a recent survey also revealed that...

May 22, 2019

EU Police to Tackle Migration and Crime Across Albanian–Greek Border

The EU border police will patrol Albania’s border to tackle illegal migration and cross-border crime. Today, the European Border and Coast Agency (Frontex) launched in...

May 21, 2019