Tirana Mayoral Race/ Alimehmeti Reveals His Ambitions as Opposition Promises a Solution

Before the ink had even dried on the document stripping Anuela Ristani of her powers, prompting her immediate resignation as deputy mayor, Erion Veliaj signed another decision from pretrial detention. This time, Deputy Mayor Blendi Sulaj was the target, with the mayor dismissing him without hesitation.

At the same time, Secretary-General Eldi Hoxha voluntarily stepped down, making way once again for Alban Dokushi, who returned to the post with Veliaj’s approval. For Ilir Alimehmeti, head of the right-wing group of municipal councilors, this endless cycle of dismissals and appointments is taking a toll on the city.

“We find ourselves in a situation where the municipality is completely paralyzed. Today, we have a municipality without a mayor and without deputy mayors, and every minute lost comes out of our pockets through the lack of services. This soap opera between two people is becoming the nightmare of an entire city,” Alimehmeti said.

Right-wing representatives on the Municipal Council demanded answers through an official document but were met with a wall of silence. Erion Veliaj appears determined to govern Tirana from his cell without entrusting his authority to anyone else. All municipal acts and decisions are sent to the Durrës pretrial detention facility to obtain his signature.

“Two people are responsible for this situation: the mayor and the Prime Minister. The ideal solution would be for them to leave, as they are causing this damage. We cannot allow the dangerous precedent of the municipality being run from prison and the Prime Minister appropriating its powers, as has happened. Both are unacceptable. We demand a return to normality,” he emphasized.

Given the impossibility of holding early elections to break the deadlock, Alimehmeti is looking ahead to the next local elections. He is prepared to enter the internal race to secure the opposition’s official nomination.

“There will be a mechanism for selecting candidates. Once things become clearer, a discussion process will begin, whether through primaries or another method. For me to be selected, I will take part in that process. The selection will then be made by the relevant party forums,” said the head of the right-wing councilors.

While the Socialist Party has yet to announce its candidate, former deputy mayor Blendi Sulaj suggested that Ogerta Manastirliu will lead the race and that he plans to join her team during the campaign.