Albania

Alert has increased over money laundering and more focus is given to the phenomenon in the 2026-2030 guidelines as cross-border transactions have increased

Byzantine-era churches which have survived the ordeals of history are being protected by Christians, with the help of Muslim neighbours; the Church of Transfiguration is a symbol of peaceful cohabitation between believers of different religions

Ed Rama was decreed as PM of Albania for the fourth time; President Begaj has added to his duties the responsibilities for the establishment and functioning of the 'Diella', the Virtual Minister of Artificial Intelligence

MEK, Mujahedin-e-Khalq, or People’s Mujahedin of Iran,an exiled Iranian opposition group with around 2.500 members hosted in Albania is under investigation on suspicion of cybercrime and inciting war, though committed to refrain from political activities

Draft of a new Penal Code has sparked critics among politicians, legal community, civil society, international observers; critics say it contains authoritarian-style restrictions on free speech while reducing sentences for corruption for senior officials

Bankers Petroleum, Albania’s largest oil producer, threatened to sue government in international arbitration courts, claiming its rights as foreign investor were violated; prosecutors allege it stole billions of euros in a massive corporate fraud

Applications for the 'Mountain Package' have been opened, that will provide support for 500 projects through fiscal incentives over 10 years; the new law also includes 'Made in Albania' products

The prolonged pre-trial detention with no formal charges of Erion Veliaj, Tirana Mayor and potential successor of PM Rama, is raising questions about Albania’s judicial practices diverging from European legal standards

Following Albania’s elections this month, an incendiary opinion piece - "correct and without political interests” - by a political analyst called Helen Bratt went viral; but the author’s identity remains elusive, starting what is becoming a media case

Parliamentary elections held on 11 May 2025 resulted in a 4th consecutive victory for the ruling Socialist Party led by PM Edi Rama, securing more mandates than in any previous election with a promise of attaining EU membership for Albania by 2030

Votes from Albanian diaspora and new parties make the 11 May election more uncertain, even though Socialists and Democrats are still likely to dominate the political landscape