FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Small opposition parties have floated the idea of a candidacy outside of politics as the only chance for victory.
From the Socialist Party Assembly, Edi Rama announced on September 11 that the Municipality of Tirana would go to by-elections, while asking the Municipal Council to dismiss Erion Veliaj as Mayor of the capital.
In parallel with this decision, Rama announced the candidacy of Ogerta Manastirliu for the race to be held in Tirana, while the incumbent mayor's term ends in 2027.
This decision by Rama seems to have caught the opposition off guard, even though for months, its advisors in the Municipal Council had been demanding the dismissal of Veliaj, who was arrested by SPAK order on February 10, 2025.
And while Rama has also made the candidate for Tirana official in a process that is not yet known when it can be held, the opposition led by the DP is in a dilemma about whether to participate in the elections or not. There are two currents among the Democrats: the first is that they should not participate in the elections, as long as Edi Rama is accused of the electoral farce of May 11, while the second supports the idea of participating in the elections with a strong candidacy. Supporters of this line believe that if the DP and its allies, or the entire opposition, emerge victorious in the partial election race in Tirana, this will have a positive impact on the opposition spirit.
So far, there have been reactions from secondary figures in the DP who mostly belong to the boycott line. They are the same ones who suggested to Berisha that the DP should not take the mandates of the deputies in the Assembly, as this would legitimize what they consider to be the farce of May 11. Meanwhile, small opposition parties have floated the idea of a candidacy outside of politics, as the only possibility for victory. This idea has been mainly articulated by MP Agron Shehaj, but it has also been supported by other opposition members, who may perhaps join the DP only in the case of a non-political name.
But what happens within the ranks of the DP, and who are the names that are most frequently mentioned?
Jorida Tabaku, the MP who received the mandate from the open list of the Tirana District, is the most mentioned name among the Democrats. Although it is not yet known whether she will agree to give up her mandate to enter a partial, term-limited race for the Municipality of Tirana, this race could be a strong platform for her, if she emerges victorious. She would even eclipse many of the names or figures among the Democrats, who are occasionally considered as contenders for the position of leader of the Democrats.
The second most quoted name is that of Dr. Ilir Alimehmeti, who failed to obtain a mandate on May 11, but was able to collect about 18 thousand votes, ranking as the second most voted candidate on the open list of the Democratic Party in the Tirana district. Alimehmeti also attempted the Tirana Municipality in 2023 through the primaries, but did not reach more than one runoff, in a race that raised many doubts and the winner was predetermined. Today, the name of the doctor, who is seen as a young politician, who can convey another spirit in the ranks of the opposition, is being mentioned again for the Tirana Municipality race.
The third name on the Democrats' list is Ilda Zhulali, a member of the City Council, who could enter the partial race for the position of Mayor. Zhulali has held a series of positions, mainly in relation to internationals, but is not experienced in electoral races. However, she is seen as a third alternative, if Tabaku and Alimehmeti do not agree to run. /Pamphlet/
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