Edi Rama warns of legal action over public space abuse in Tirana, calls for crackdown on illegal occupation

Prime Minister Edi Rama has issued a sharp warning to municipal authorities and property developers in Tirana, denouncing what he described as rampant and abusive occupation of public spaces for private gain. Speaking at a high-level meeting with current MPs, parliamentary candidates, and municipal leadership, Rama demanded immediate action to restore access to common areas, parking spaces, and pedestrian zones.

Why is this important: With political restructuring underway and local elections on the horizon in the capital, the Prime Minister is signaling zero tolerance for lax urban management. His call for a two-week audit of every public service and space in Tirana marks the start of a sweeping operation targeting illegal extensions, unpermitted businesses, and public-private boundary violations.

Context: During the meeting, Rama criticized the municipality and developers for treating shared urban areas as private property. He cited examples of unauthorized construction, blocked sidewalks, and barriers erected in residential blocks, saying such actions restrict community life and public mobility.

He warned that unless these spaces are voluntarily cleared by August, violators will face fines, criminal charges for environmental damage, and full enforcement from local and state police. “We will mobilize all inspection bodies and law enforcement. It’s time to lift the curtain on this abuse,” Rama declared, adding: “Start packing now—enough is enough.”

Rama’s comments come as Socialist Party officials prepare for potential early elections in Tirana, following the pre-trial detention of the city’s mayor on corruption charges. Although it is unclear if new elections will be held this year, the party is already mobilizing its network in the capital to reconnect with residents and document every public concern.

Over the next two weeks, task forces composed of ministers, MPs, local officials, and municipal police will assess every neighborhood, photograph violations, and compile a detailed map of the city’s service and infrastructure failures. Each group member has been assigned specific duties to ensure no public service goes unexamined.

What else: In the same meeting, Rama reminded party members that their recent electoral win is not a license for complacency. “If anyone thinks 83 mandates are a reason to sleep, they are gravely mistaken,” he said. “Some have been sleeping for too long already.”

The same model of field-based review and enforcement will be extended to other cities, including Vlorë—where Rama has recently criticized municipal management—as well as Durrës, Elbasan, Shkodër, and Fier.