In a statement on social media, Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj asked Taulant Balla, head of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group, to initiate the establishment of an investigative committee into the threats he claims to have received from Prime Minister Edi Rama through Justice Minister Toni Gogu.
Veliaj wants the committee to investigate whether his transfer from Durrës to Fier and the conditions of his pretrial detention were used as means of pressure to force him to admit being involved in protests against Prime Minister Edi Rama and to resign as mayor of Tirana.
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“Today, I formally addressed the head of the Socialist parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, requesting that he initiate the establishment of a parliamentary investigative committee into the interference and threats that I have said were made against me by Prime Minister Edi Rama through the Minister of Justice,” Veliaj wrote.
He says he is ready to testify under oath, face Minister Gogu, and present the evidence in his possession. Veliaj also wants the prime minister to be held to the same standard of accountability.
“I am ready to testify under oath before Parliament, in accordance with the law, to face Justice Minister Toni Gogu, and to present any evidence in my possession. I have also asked that Prime Minister Edi Rama be held to the same standard of accountability,” he added.
The mayor of Tirana said he had also informed the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, as well as the diplomatic corps in Albania.
STATEMENT:
Today, I formally addressed the head of the Socialist parliamentary group, Taulant Balla, requesting that he initiate the establishment of a parliamentary investigative committee into the interference and threats that I have said were made against me by Prime Minister Edi Rama through the Minister of Justice.
I have asked for an investigation into whether my transfer from Durrës to Fier and the conditions of my pretrial detention were used as instruments of pressure to force me to admit to organizing the protests in Tirana and to resign from the mandate entrusted to me by the citizens of the capital.
I am ready to testify under oath before Parliament, in accordance with the law, to face Justice Minister Toni Gogu, and to present any evidence in my possession. I have also asked that Prime Minister Edi Rama be held to the same standard of accountability.
I addressed my party’s parliamentary majority with this request because constitutional oversight of the government cannot be made conditional on the political affiliation of those who must be held to account.
I have also informed the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and the diplomatic corps accredited in Albania, and have requested the immediate preservation of documentary and audiovisual evidence.
I am not asking Parliament to take my statements as established fact. I am asking it to investigate them. A mayor’s mandate comes from the citizens’ vote, and that vote cannot be made the target of political blackmail.
Erion Veliaj
Mayor of Tirana
11 November 2026
