FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
According to opposition advisors, the replacement of the head of the Municipality of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, by the deputy mayor Anuela Ristani "was done using authoritarian and illegal methods."
The Group of Opposition Municipal Councilors in the Municipality of Tirana, through a letter addressed to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, have raised concerns that the autonomy of local government has been violated, and the role of the Municipal Council has been marginalized, avoiding decision-making.
They highlight the Prime Minister's illegal interventions following the arrest of the Mayor, Erion Veliaj, and his replacement by Deputy Mayor Anuela Ristani.
In the letter to the EC, it is cited that "the role of the Municipal Council has been marginalized, avoiding decision-making."
In their letter, the Opposition Councilors indicate that in addition to this, there are clear signs that the Tirana Municipality administration is being manipulated and threatened to be used in the May 11 elections.
Letter to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe
For the attention of the Secretary General, Mr. Mathieu Mori
Dear members of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe,
We, the group of opposition municipal councilors in the Municipality of Tirana, would like to inform you about an extremely worrying situation that is occurring in local government in Tirana and that contradicts the fundamental principles of the European Charter of Local Self-Government.
Following the court decision to arrest the Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Erion Veliaj, we have observed an unprecedented and illegal interference by the Prime Minister of Albania, Mr. Edi Rama, in the administrative affairs and decision-making of the Municipality of Tirana. Instead of the Municipal Council and local government institutions exercising their functions in accordance with the Constitution and the law, the municipality has been placed under the direct control of the central executive.
In this context, we note:
Infringement of local autonomy – Article 3 of the European Charter of Local Self-Government clearly states that local authorities must be free from unlawful interference by the central government. However, the Prime Minister’s actions demonstrate a political capture of local institutions.
Marginalization of the Municipal Council – Despite the fact that the Municipal Council is the highest representative body at the local level, it has been bypassed and its constitutional and legal role is not being exercised.
Political manipulation of the administration and public resources – There are clear signs that this unlawful control over the Municipality of Tirana is being used for political and economic gain, including the granting of construction permits in a dubious manner and the instrumentalization of the administration for the parliamentary elections of 11 May 2024.
For these reasons, we:
• We strongly condemn the Prime Minister's interventions in the administration of the Municipality of Tirana, which are contrary to democratic standards and the principles of good governance.
• We encourage justice institutions to continue investigations into every case of corruption and legal violation related to the municipal administration.
• We demand an immediate distancing of the central government from decision-making in the Municipality of Tirana and the return of its autonomy to the legitimate bodies of local government.
• We call on municipal councilors of all political forces to maintain independent positions and exercise their functions in the interest of the citizens of Tirana.
Local autonomy and the rule of law are the foundation of a functioning democracy. We therefore call on the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe to examine this situation and take steps to protect democratic standards at the local level in Albania.
With respect,
Group of Opposition Municipal Councilors in the Municipality of Tirana
Lini një Përgjigje