Organizers announced the protest yesterday, calling for citizens to gather outside the Parliament building during the plenary session. Anticipating the demonstrations, media reports indicate that Socialist Party MPs arrived at the building 30 minutes early.

After an hour outside the Parliament, protesters pushed a garbage can and chanted, “No more Rama, no more Berisha-Both belong in the dustbin”.  Meanwhile, others spray-painted the sidewalk outside the building with the words “Parliament of Crime.”

The protest turned tense when demonstrators began throwing eggs at vehicles inside the parliamentary perimeter. Police quickly set up a security cordon, stopping the crowd from gaining access to the building.

Meanwhile, the students have adopted a new protest strategy. They are also challenging the police, condemning what they describe as a double standard in law enforcement.

“End the double standards! While cars and deputies block Tirana’s streets and bring traffic to a halt, students are the ones facing prosecution. Fine the politicians—leave the students alone”, said the protesters. /e.i/a.f/p.s./

The Albanian delegation is headed by MP Olta Xhaçka and is composed by Ogerta Manastirliu, Albana Vokshi and Iris Luarasi.

Head of the Albanian delegation praised the work of the co-rapporteurs for Serbia, but some important issues such as the protection of the rights of the Albanian community in Presheva Valley, ensuring full accountability for the 2023 Banjska attack and Serbia’s continued opposition to Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe require more attention.

Xhaçka underlined that addressing these issues is essential for these steps are essential to secure human rights, uphold the rule of law and build lasting regional stability.

“These are not mere bilateral issues, but matters that strike at the heart of the core principles and shared obligations we all uphold as Council of Europe member states,” concluded Xhaçka. /e.i/r.e/a.f/p.s./

According to the approved agenda, the first interpellation will be held with Environment Minister Sofjan Jaupaj, following a request by opposition Democratic Party lawmakers seeking clarifications on development plans for the Zvërnec area.

Democratic Party lawmakers have also summoned Interior Minister Besfort Lamallari to answer questions regarding a recent incident in Lozhan, near Maliq, southeastern Albania, in which a police officer was killed in the line of duty and another was wounded.

Opposition lawmaker Enno Bozdo has called Economy Minister Delina Ibrahimaj for an interpellation over the Durana Park project.

MP Agron Shehaj has requested an interpellation with Prime Minister Edi Rama concerning the concession contract for the design, construction, operation, maintenance and transfer of the Thumanë-Vorë-Kashar highway.

Shehaj and fellow lawmaker Erald Kapri have also sought an interpellation with Finance Minister Petrit Malaj regarding the enforcement of financial obligations and the collection of a 120 million euro penalty imposed on oil producer Bankers Petroleum.

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The hearing, requested by Socialist lawmaker Erion Braçe, will address milk production, processing and marketing.

In a separate session, opposition Freedom Party lawmaker Erisa Xhixho is set to question Education Minister Mirela Kumbaro.

Lawmakers will also consider amendments to the law on tourist ports, as well as proposed changes to legislation on the prevention of money laundering and terrorist financing.

Parliament is due to review proposals to establish two inquiry committees: one to examine the Albanian Road Authority’s handling of road investment projects, and another to assess the National Agency for Information Society (AKSHI), focusing on cybersecurity and the protection of citizens’ data.

The agenda also includes a vote on the appointment of a member to the supervisory council of the Bank of Albania.

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Lawmakers are due to convene at 10:00 a.m. for the plenary session.

The session was convened by Speaker Niko Peleshi and will require an absolute majority to approve the agreement, which would formalise Albania’s membership in the Board of Peace, represented by Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Proceedings will begin with remarks from the bill’s sponsor, followed by the opinion of the parliamentary committee on Europe and foreign affairs, debate and a vote.

The Council of Ministers approved the agreement in principle on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

According to the draft, the Board of Peace is to be established as an international organisation with legal personality, tasked with promoting stability, restoring legitimate and credible governance, and ensuring sustainable peace in areas affected or threatened by conflict, in line with international law.

Under the Charter, membership is limited to states invited by the Board’s chair and begins once a state formally accepts the Charter’s legal obligations. Member states are represented by their head of state or government for a term of up to three years, renewable by the chair.

The three-year term does not apply to member states that contribute more than 1 billion dollars in cash to the Peace Board within the first year of the Charter’s entry into force.

The plenary session was requested on Wednesday afternoon by the ruling Socialist Party under an accelerated procedure.

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The protest began immediately after the national anthem, with DP parliamentary group chairman Gazment Bardhi accusing the ruling majority of wrongdoing as Speaker Niko Peleshi attempted to address the session.

Opposition lawmakers refused to take their seats, preventing the session from continuing.

At the request of the chair of the Socialist Party parliamentary group Taulant Balla, Speaker Peleshi put the procedural agenda to a vote and then closed the session.

The agenda had been limited to procedural items, including approval of the minutes of the previous sitting and formal announcements.

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Peleshi emphasized that this session is not simply a continuation of the Parliamentary calendar of proceedings, but “a second test, a test of the standards that society expects from us and of the ability to produce good laws, stronger institutions and a more dignified political dialogue”.

Peleshi underlined that, “The integration agenda in the European Union, which will be the main topic in this new session as well, has extraordinary potential to respond to the challenges of Albanian society and to become an enthusiastic national narrative”.

Referring to the first Parliamentary session, Peleshi said that the Assembly held 18 plenary sessions, adopted 41 laws and 59 decisions, as well as carried out interpellations and motions with debate.

He praised the work of the MPs and the Parliamentary administration, underlining that the Assembly has continued to function despite political tensions.

In this context, the Speaker of the Assembly spoke out against hate speech and insults in the plenary hall.

Peleshi emphasized that Albania is now in a new phase of the European process, from integration to membership, reiterating the objective of closing technical negotiations by 2027.

“The Assembly must accelerate legal approximation without compromising quality and increase control over implementation because in the European Union it is not enough to adopt laws, but you must prove that they work,” he said.

“At the end of this legislature, the Assembly should be more respected, more functional and more European in ethics, procedure and service to citizens,” concluded Peleshi, wishing the MPs good work in the new Parliamentary session. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

Minister Gonxhja said that there was held a meeting with Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Science and Culture in Europe Magdalena Landry, as well as the UNESCO culture team, as a moment of appreciation for the cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports so far, the concrete results achieved and the vision for the new projects for 2026.

During this meeting, there was confirmed an initiative of particular significance: Albania will be the host country of the 20th Session of the Meeting for Intangible Cultural Heritage, strengthening its active and reliable role at the international level.

Also, there was held an important meeting with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of North Macedonia, focused on Lake Ohrid, a shared natural and cultural asset, part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The discussions focused on cooperation between the two states, institutional coordination and building a sustainable approach, in accordance with UNESCO standards, to guarantee the long-term protection of this unique ecosystem and landscape for the coming generations.

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports Lira Pipa headed the Albanian delegation to this ministerial meeting. /j.p/p.s./

Lawmakers will open the session by examining the Central Election Commission’s 2024 activity report, which outlines the institution’s performance and recommendations for improving election processes.

Parliament will then move to a set of draft laws, including three bills on financing railway projects.

Several energy-sector draft laws are also on the agenda.

MPs are additionally expected to review a bill aimed at strengthening parliamentary oversight of the EU integration process, as well as legislation to improve the functioning and responsibilities of the Ombudsman’s office.

The agenda also includes three draft decisions, among them the appointment of the Civil Service Oversight Commissioner.

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The former mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, left the detention facilities in Durrës and arrived at the premises of the Constitutional Court at around 09:35. The session is scheduled to start at 10:00

On September 25, the government dismissed Veliaj after the proposal of the Municipal Council, relying on the law on local government, with the argument that he has not appeared in office for 3 months.

On October 1, President Bajram Begaj decreed partial by-elections for Tirana as well, which were suspended by temporary decision by the Constitutional Court until the final review of Veliaj’s dismissal.

Veliaj has been in detention since February 10, following the decision of the Special Court for the security measure “arrest in prison”. Veliaj is accused in 9 cases of passive corruption. He is also accused of money laundering, failure to declare assets, abuse of office and bringing illegal items into prison. /e.i/a.f/r.e/p.s./