Chaos in Tirana Municipality? DP demands clarification after Ristan's dismissal

The Democratic Party's municipal councilor, Ilda Zhulali, has addressed the mayor of the Municipal Council with a request for clarification, after it was reported that Anuela Ristani has been dismissed for the second time from her position as acting mayor of the municipality.

Zhulali requests that official documentation for the dismissal be made available, that the person currently exercising the powers of mayor be determined, and that it be clarified who can sign contracts, financial agreements, or acts that affect the municipality's budget.

Another point of the request is related to Erion Veliaj's signature and whether it continues to be considered by the Municipality of Tirana as a legitimate decision-making will.

The DP councilor raises concerns about the financial situation of public transport operators and the warning about the reduction of the bus fleet. For this reason, she requests the calling of an urgent session of the Municipal Council, where both the situation of the municipality's management and the risk to the normal functioning of urban transport can be discussed.

Full reaction:

Dear Madam President,

I. I have learned through the media that Erion Veliaj, currently in pre-trial detention, has dismissed for the second time in a few months Ms. Anuela Ristani from the position of acting mayor of Tirana Municipality. This news has created complete legal and public uncertainty about the current direction of Tirana Municipality, and requires immediate and official clarification before the Municipal Council and the citizens of Tirana.

In this context, I request to be officially and exhaustively informed about the following:
1. Acquaintance with the official document through which this second dismissal was carried out, and the time when it was signed and protocoled?
2. Who currently exercises, legally and officially, the function of Mayor of Tirana Municipality, or acting mayor, after the news of the dismissal of Ms. Anuela Ristani?
3. Who currently has the institutional authority to negotiate, decide and sign on behalf of Tirana Municipality, including contracts, financial agreements, administrative acts and decisions with effect on the municipality's budget?
4. Is there today a clear and uninterrupted chain of institutional command within Tirana Municipality, and if so, I request that the relevant official documentation be made available to us?
5. What measures have been taken or are foreseen to be taken to guarantee the continuity of the normal institutional functioning of the municipality, in the conditions of this leadership instability?
6. Is Erion Veliaj's signature officially recognized by the Municipality of Tirana as a legitimate decision-making will?

I recall that a similar situation arose a few months earlier, when Ms. Ristani was dismissed and Ms. Goxhaj was appointed in her place, for which there was never an official response!!

II. In parallel, through the media, I have become aware of the warning of the National Association of Urban Transport and the Association of Urban and Interurban Transport, dated August 11, 2026, on the risk of reducing the capacity of the public transport fleet.
Given the importance and weight of this service for the daily life of Tirana residents, as well as other persons (local or foreign) who use public transport, I request official clarifications on the following:
7. What are the concrete reasons for the financial crisis of urban public transport operators?
8. Who is currently, on behalf of the Municipality of Tirana, in contact and/or negotiations with the National Association of Urban Transport and the Association of Urban and Interurban Transport, and with the responsible central institutions?
9. What concrete measures are being taken by the Municipality of Tirana to prevent the reduction in the number of buses in circulation and to guarantee the normal continuity of the public transport service?
10. Has any official communication been made to date on this issue, and if so, I request copies of the relevant correspondence.

Based on the above, I request
1. The calling of an urgent/extraordinary session of the Tirana Municipal Council, with the agenda of the situation of the management of the Municipality of Tirana and the announced crisis of urban public transport.
2. An official written response to each point raised, within the deadlines provided for by law and the regulation of the Municipal Council.
3. The provision of any official supporting documentation, including administrative acts, institutional correspondence and relevant financial information.

The citizens and the Municipal Council of Tirana have the legal and legitimate right to know who runs the institution that administers the budget and services of the capital, and to be assured that the continuity of essential public services, such as urban transport, is not jeopardized by institutional chaos.
Awaiting a prompt response, thanking you,

Ilda Zhulali
Advisor,
Vice-President of the
Democratic Party Group