Freedom Party

Albania's council of ministers, headed by Prime Minister Edi Rama, appointed on Wednesday Vangjel Tavo as prefect of the Vlora district, in Albania's south, in a move seen as an effort by Rama to diffuse tensions with Greece, caused by the conviction of the elected mayor of Himare for vote buying.

Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Freedom Party in the Netherlands, has conceded defeat to become the country's prime minister, citing insurmountable differences among coalition partners, as reported by AFP.

In an incident during Monday's parliamentary investigation into the Tempe rail crash, Zoi Konstantopoulou, leader of the Course of Freedom party, sought to put pressure on the commitee despite being excluded from speaking due to a conflict of interest.

The Tempe train collision in February 2023 resulted in the loss of 57 lives and left numerous others injured. 

As Bulgaria anticipates the full integration into the Schengen Agreement, a potential hurdle looms on the horizon, suggesting delays that could extend beyond the initially projected 2025 timeline.

The Greek government is working systematically toward the reunification of Parthenon Sculptures, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said on Monday in response to a question in Parliament by Zoi Konstantopoulou, leader of the Course of Freedom party. 

Greece is working with the United Nations and other countries to send humanitarian aid to Gaza as soon as possible and ensure it reaches those who need it most, Health Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis told Parliament on Thursday, in a session attended by Palestinian Authority Ambassador Yussef Dorkhom.

Given that the final victor of the June 25 elections appears to be a foregone conclusion, the key stake for conservative New Democracy next week hinges on the percentage of the vote it will get and the achievement of an outright majority, which would exceed the 156 minimum number of seats in Parliament.

A Greek expatriate mayoral candidate in the southern Albanian municipality of Himara, Fredi Beleri, was arrested at midnight on Thursday by the Albanian police outside his business premises on suspicion of paying people for their votes, causing strong condemnation from officials in Athens.

Albanian Police building. Photo: EPA-EFE/MALTON DIBRA

Unidentified gunmen early on Monday shot dead a 60-year-old security guard at the premises of national television station Top Channel, Albanian police announced. The event happened under unclear circumstances, they said.

Albania's opposition Democratic Party, which is riven by factions, will be able to run in the May local elections after all - after the Commission of Sanctions and Complaints, CSC, overturned an earlier decision of the Commissioner of Elections not to let it run.