Majko calls for a candidate who can win in Tirana and warns of losing city hall, Rama says his doubts spur him to choose wisely

The risk of losing Tirana City Hall and the need to remove people with inappropriate ties to organized crime from the Socialist Party were the two concerns former Prime Minister Pandeli Majko raised at the Socialist National Assembly.

Speaking about the race in the capital, Majko warned that, under the current circumstances, the Socialists could lose city hall. He therefore called for a credible candidate with the potential to win.

Prime Minister Rama spoke next and responded to the concern. He said Majko’s persistent skepticism had spurred him to make the right decisions, and expressed confidence that the same would happen this time with Tirana.

A source present at the assembly told Top Channel journalist Muhamed Veliu about the exchange between Majko and Rama during the discussion. The source said the former prime minister’s remarks centered on the need for a healthy Socialist Party.

In an appeal addressed openly to Rama and the assembly, Majko said that any member of the Socialist Party who had had inappropriate and discrediting contact with organized crime should leave without delay, so that the party would not pay a price.

At the meeting held the previous day, he reportedly linked this call to the public disclosure of 1,000 hours of footage in SPAK’s possession. According to Majko, the material could compromise certain people within the party.

The former prime minister also called on the Socialists to bear in mind any actions SPAK might take between now and May, when the local elections are held.