Resignations on Rama's orders/The Institute of Municipalities of Albania reacts

2025-07-16 14:28:00, Politikë CNA

Resignations on Rama's orders/The Institute of Municipalities of Albania

The Institute of Municipalities of Albania has reacted after the resignations of directors and heads of administrative units in most municipalities on the orders of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

The statement to the media emphasizes that the government cannot run municipalities and that it is a violation of principles.

Statement for the media

“The government cannot run municipalities – this is a violation of the Principles!”

The Institute for Albanian Municipalities expresses serious concern over the Prime Minister's repeated statements and interventions in the functioning of municipalities, including calls for the resignation of local officials and dictating administrative restructurings.

These actions constitute a violation of the principle of separation of powers and a direct violation of local autonomy, guaranteed by:

-Article 108 of the Constitution of Albania,

-European Charter of Local Self-Government (articles 4, 5 and 8), and

-Law No. 139/2015 “on Local Self-Government”.

Appointments and dismissals in the local administration are the competence of the mayor, not the central government.

Any political pressure or interference constitutes a violation of the constitution and risks the political capture of local government. Public administration must be depoliticized and must serve as such.

Our call stands for:

-Immediate cessation of political interference in the municipality;

-Respect for the Constitution, the European Charter and the law on "Local Self-Government";

-The Elected Mayor, the Municipal Council and the local administration have the obligation to implement the law, respect administrative accountability and protect with integrity the authority given to them by the verdict of the citizens through their vote.

-Inter-institutional relations between the central and local levels must be supported and developed in a sustainable and functional manner, in accordance with the law and in respect of the division of competences and local autonomy.

-Commitment of independent institutions and international partners to protect the integrity and democratic functioning of local government in Albania.

Local autonomy is not a political privilege, but a constitutional and European right./ CNA