Ilda Zhulali, a Democratic Party councilor at Tirana Municipality, has addressed the chairwoman of the Municipal Council with a request for official information regarding the institution’s leadership situation, following reports that Anuela Ristani has been dismissed from her position for the second time.
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Zhulali is requesting that the document through which the decision was made be made public, that it be clarified who currently exercises the leadership function at the municipality and who has the authority to negotiate and sign contracts, financial agreements, administrative acts and decisions affecting the institution’s budget. She also wants to know whether Erion Veliaj’s signature is still considered a legitimate expression of decision-making authority.
In her request, the Democratic councilor also raises concerns about warnings of difficulties in public transportation. She is seeking information on the causes of the operators’ financial crisis, the municipality’s contacts and negotiations, as well as the measures being taken to prevent a reduction in the number of buses in circulation.
Zhulali is calling for the Tirana Municipal Council to convene an urgent or extraordinary session, while requesting written answers to each issue raised and access to the relevant official documentation.
“Dear Madam Chairwoman,
Through the media, I have learned that Erion Veliaj, who is currently in pretrial detention, has dismissed Ms. Anuela Ristani for the second time within a few months from the position of acting mayor or acting head of Tirana Municipality. This report has caused deep legal and public uncertainty about how Tirana Municipality is currently being governed, and therefore an immediate and official clarification is required before the Municipal Council and the citizens.
Under these circumstances, I request full and official information on the following matters:
1. I request to be informed of the official document through which the second dismissal was carried out, as well as the date and time when it was signed and registered.
2. It should be clarified who currently exercises, legally and officially, the duties of the mayor or mayoress of Tirana Municipality, or the function of acting mayor, following the announcement of Ms. Anuela Ristani’s dismissal.
3. It should be made known which institutional authority may negotiate, make decisions and sign on behalf of Tirana Municipality, including contracts, financial agreements, administrative acts and decisions affecting the municipality’s budget.
4. It should be clarified whether a defined and uninterrupted chain of command exists within Tirana Municipality. If the answer is affirmative, the official documentation proving this should be made available.
5. It should be made known what measures have been taken or are planned to ensure the normal continuation of the municipality’s institutional activity amid the leadership instability.
6. Does Tirana Municipality officially recognize Erion Veliaj’s signature as an expression of legitimate decision-making authority?
I would recall that a similar situation emerged several months ago, when Ms. Ristani was dismissed and Ms. Goxhaj was appointed in her place, for which no official response was ever provided.
At the same time, through media reports I learned of the warning issued by the National Association of Urban Transport and the Urban and Interurban Transport Association, dated August 11, 2026, regarding the risk of a reduction in public transport fleet capacity.
Given the importance this service has for the daily lives of Tirana’s residents, as well as for other people, Albanian or foreign, who use public transportation, I also request official information on the following matters:
7. What are the specific causes of the financial crisis facing urban public transport operators?
8. Who is currently conducting contacts or negotiations, on behalf of Tirana Municipality, with the National Association of Urban Transport, the Urban and Interurban Transport Association, and the responsible central institutions?
9. What concrete actions is Tirana Municipality taking to prevent a reduction in the number of buses in circulation and to guarantee the normal continuation of public transport services?
10. Has any official communication taken place on this matter so far? If so, a copy of the relevant correspondence should be made available.
With regard to the above, I request:
1. The convening of an urgent or extraordinary session of the Tirana Municipal Council, with the situation concerning the leadership of Tirana Municipality and the anticipated crisis in urban public transport on the agenda.
2. The provision of official written answers to each of the issues raised, within the deadlines established by law and the regulations of the Municipal Council.
3. The submission of all supporting official documentation, including administrative acts, institutional correspondence and the relevant financial information.
Citizens and the Tirana Municipal Council have a legal and legitimate right to know who is leading the institution responsible for administering the capital’s budget and services. Likewise, they must have assurance that essential public services, including urban transportation, are not threatened by institutional uncertainty.
Awaiting a prompt response, I thank you.
Ilda ZhulaliMunicipal CouncilorDeputy Chair of the GroupDemocratic Party
