Sali Berisha fuels rumors of rift between Rama and Veliaj after City Hall confusion

Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha has used a brief episode of administrative confusion in Tirana’s City Hall to claim that Prime Minister Edi Rama has dismissed Mayor Erion Veliaj. The claim comes despite clarifications from Veliaj’s office that the incident was the result of a miscommunication from prison, and that the mayor remains in his post.

Why is this important: Though no officials decision has been made about Veliaj’s status and he remains mayor of Tirana, the opposition is using the episode to push a narrative of internal conflict within the ruling Socialist Party. Berisha’s remarks reflect a broader strategy to portray instability in Rama’s camp ahead of the May 11 parliamentary elections.

Context: On Thursday news spread that Veliaj, who remains in pre-trial detention, had replaced Deputy Mayor Anuela Ristani with a new appointee to lead the municipality in his absence. Later that day, Veliaj issued a clarification, saying the order had been issued in error due to limited communication and had since been withdrawn.

Still, Berisha framed the events as proof that Rama had already removed Veliaj. “Rama has fired Veliaj. He signed the dismissal yesterday,” Berisha said in a press conference. “But the compromise was for Veliaj to do a mea culpa, and they sent the archangel to the cell.”

He also claimed that Ristani’s appointment and her reported dismissal of two municipal officials were unconstitutional. “Someone appointed in violation of the Constitution is taking over everything on Rama’s behalf,” he said.

Berisha demanded that Tirana’s Municipal Council, not the central government, decide who leads the city in Veliaj’s absence. He also called on the Ombudsperson to investigate whether any improper contacts took place between Veliaj and government officials while in detention. “If there was a meeting, it must be investigated,” he said, adding that detainees cannot meet government officials without a lawyer present.

What else: Berisha extended his criticism to the wider Socialist Party, accusing Rama of threatening City Hall employees and pressuring public servants. “Rama summons and threatens municipal workers—mafia-like developments,” he claimed.

Without evidence, he suggested Veliaj may have been threatened or drugged in custody: “Did they send him a bullet in an envelope, or drug him? I don’t know. These questions are being asked everywhere,” he said.

Separately, during a presentation of the Democratic Party’s cultural policy, Berisha accused the government of damaging the country’s cultural heritage. “They’ve descended on Butrint and Bylis. The National Museum is closed for so-called renovation, just to steal €10–12 million and build a tower in its courtyard,” he said.