Edi Rama new cabinet holds first meeting, approves dismissal of Erion Veliaj

At its first meeting, the Rama 4 cabinet unanimously voted to approve the dismissal of Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj.

Why is this important: The decision was introduced outside the official agenda, just 24 hours after Prime Minister Edi Rama received the notification from Tirana’s prefect confirming the city council’s vote to remove Veliaj.

Context: With the government decision now in force, the vacancy at Tirana City Hall will be formally communicated to the President. Under the Electoral Code, the President must wait 15 days before issuing a decree for early elections, as this is the period during which the dismissed mayor may appeal the decision to the Constitutional Court. If Veliaj does not file an appeal within this window, the President will have 48 hours to set an election date.

Regardless of the legal process, the Socialist Party has already begun mobilizing its structures for the partial local elections in Tirana and the five other municipalities currently without mayors.

During a meeting on Wednesday with Tirana’s MPs, former MPs, and the entire cabinet, Rama announced that Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku will lead the campaign for the Socialist candidate, Ogerta Manastirliu.