Is Albania Europe's Rising Star?

How Did Albania Become Europe’s Rising Star? Once one of Europe’s most closed and repressive regimes, Albania is now emerging as one of the continent’s most promising rising stars. But how did Albania transform itself from an isolated Stalinist dictatorship under Enver Hoxha into a vibrant democracy with growing international influence? Here I trace the country’s journey from the chaos of the 1990s—marked by economic collapse and civil unrest—to its recovery in the 2000s and its modern image as a booming tourist destination and NATO member. With EU accession talks now underway, Albania’s geopolitical significance is rapidly increasing. But is everything as stable as it seems?

The key reforms introduced since the rise of Prime Minister Edi Rama in 2013, including overhauls of the justice system and high-profile diplomatic wins, have redefined Albania’s international standing. Yet, serious challenges remain—from corruption and organised crime to judicial inefficiencies and the controversial case of Tirana’s mayor, Erion Veliaj. Can Albania overcome these internal obstacles and truly realise its European future? Or are its democratic gains more fragile than they appear? Join us for an in-depth look at Albania’s dramatic transformation and what it reveals about post-communist transitions, EU enlargement, and the future of the Western Balkans.

VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:47 Post-Communist Transition and Albania
01:47 Albania: Location and Population
02:19 The Emergence of Modern Albania
03:33 Albania Under Enver Hoxha
05:00 Albania After Communism
05:58 Albania Starts to Stabilise
07:15 Albania Under Edi Rama
09:28 The Challenges Still Facing Albania
11:01 Can Albania’s Progress be Maintained?

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