Albania

Albania is currently experiencing widespread anti-government protests, marking their 59th consecutive day, with citizens demanding the Prime Minister's resignation. Reports indicate that peaceful activists have been subjected to forceful escorting by police amidst a significant police presence.

Adding to the political turbulence, a major scandal has erupted in Parliament. Opposition MP Agron Shehaj is accused of stealing a confidential loan agreement document with the United States. This incident, which reportedly led to a parliamentary employee sustaining injuries while pursuing the MP, has triggered an ethics committee review and a call for referral to the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). The Parliament has since approved the $302 million loan agreement with the US, though details of the text remain confidential.

In other domestic news, road accidents have seen a 6.8% increase in the first half of the year, with Tirana being a hotspot for incidents. The country's economy is also under scrutiny, with an analysis focusing on the implications of the Albanian Lek's overvaluation. Additionally, the Albanian government faces criticism from the Bern Convention for a lack of information on the Vjosa-Narta area, and the Parliament is reportedly delaying legislation on protected areas despite pressure from the European Union.