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'Open' test for the SP and Tirana

2026-03-05 16:01:00, Politikë CNA

'Open' test for the SP and Tirana

"I told you that the absence of the elected mayor (Erion Veliaj) would be a problem, but you didn't take it very seriously at the time."

This is reported to have been said on Wednesday by Prime Minister and Socialist leader Edi Rama, during a one-hour meeting at the SP headquarters with Tirana District MPs and municipal leaders, as he gave instructions to branch chairmen on preparations for the June elections.

Clearly, Rama's articulation comes as a warning to local structures, where it is expected to decide on the names that will lead the SP branches for Tirana, which is also considered the most important area in terms of political influence and a kind of test for political parties, and specifically, for the majority.

'Open' test for the SP and Tirana
Rama and Veliaj in a field meeting

It seems as if the absence of a mayor, in this case arrested for more than a year and facing 13 charges for five serious criminal offenses, comes as an 'alarm' for the socialists, but should it be so?

If socialists are worried that there could be a 'crisis' for the PS Tirana from Erion Veliaj, perhaps this indicates that the time has come for a reflection within their ranks on the way in which the model of political leadership tied around an individual has been created.

In fact, this stance seems like an open attack on Edi Rama himself, for his role as leader of the Socialists and the way he has acted so far in terms of organization.

'Open' test for the SP and Tirana
Rama and Veliaj in one of the meetings at the SP headquarters

It is the second time that Rama has mentioned Erion Veliaj to the Socialists in a few days, as on February 26, during the meeting of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, he gave a long lecture on justice and the presumption of innocence for officials, indirectly speaking about Veliaj.

It is worth noting that the following charges are against the mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, who has been in the cells of Durrës Prison for more than a year:

1.“Korrupsioni pasiv i funksionarëve të lartë shtetërorë ose i të zgjedhurve vendorë”, kryer në bashkëpunim, në lidhje me përfitimin e parregullt të marrë nga “Agi Kons” sh.p.k., parashikuar nga neni 260 e 25 i Kodit Penal;
2. “Korrupsioni pasiv i funksionarëve të lartë shtetërorë ose i të zgjedhurve vendorë”, kryer në bashkëpunim, në lidhje me përfitimin e parregullt të marrë nga “Fusha” sh.p.k., parashikuar nga neni 260 e 25 i Kodit Penal;
3. “Korrupsioni pasiv i funksionarëve të lartë shtetërorë ose i të zgjedhurve vendorë”, kryer në bashkëpunim, në lidhje me përfitimin e parregullt të marrë nga “Palushi” sh.p.k., parashikuar nga neni 260 e 25 i Kodit Penal;

4. “Korrupsioni pasiv i funksionarëve të lartë shtetërorë ose i të zgjedhurve vendorë”, kryer në bashkëpunim, në lidhje me përfitimin e parregullt të marrë nga “Gerard-A” sh.p.k., parashikuar nga neni 260 e 25 i Kodit Penal;
5. “Korrupsioni pasiv i funksionarëve të lartë shtetërorë ose i të zgjedhurve vendorë”, kryer në bashkëpunim, në lidhje me përfitimin e parregullt të marrë nga “Kontakt” sh.p.k., parashikuar nga neni 260 e 25 i Kodit Penal;
6. “Korrupsioni pasiv i funksionarëve të lartë shtetërorë ose i të zgjedhurve vendorë”, kryer në bashkëpunim, në lidhje me përfitimin e parregullt të marrë nga “Eventus” OJF, parashikuar nga neni 260 e 25 i Kodit Penal;
7. “Korrupsioni pasiv i funksionarëve të lartë shtetërorë ose i të zgjedhurve vendorë”, kryer në bashkëpunim, në lidhje me përfitimin e parregullt të marrë nga “Muza” OJF, parashikuar nga neni 260 e 25 i Kodit Penal;

8.  “Passive corruption of high-ranking state officials or local elected officials”, committed in collaboration, in relation to the irregular benefit received from “BYL-A” NGO, provided for by Article 260 and 25 of the Criminal Code;                                                                                                              9.  “Passive corruption of high-ranking state officials or local elected officials”, committed in collaboration, in relation to the irregular benefit received from “Frobolous” NGO, provided for by Article 260 and 25 of the Criminal Code;
10.  “Laundering of the proceeds of a criminal offense or criminal activity”, committed in collaboration more than once, provided for by Article 287/2 of the Criminal Code;
11.  “Introducing or keeping prohibited items in the institution for the execution of decisions with imprisonment”, more than once, provided for by Article 324/a/2 of the Criminal Code;
12.  “Refusal to declare, failure to declare, concealment or false declaration of assets, private interests of elected persons and public servants or of any other person who has a legal obligation to declare”, provided for by Article 257/a/2 of the Criminal Code;
13.  “Abuse of office”, provided for by Article 248 of the Criminal Code.

Erion Veliaj's arrest was carried out on February 10, 2025, after an extensive investigation by SPAK, which also included the mayor's wife Ajola Xoxa, as well as the couple's numerous associates.

For more than a year, Veliaj has raised various claims about the case, even going to further steps, through paid media articles and lobbying, to evade justice. /CNA

 

 

 





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