Veliaj does not release the Municipality from the cell, what is the mayor preparing two weeks before the Supreme Court

While in detention and just two weeks before the date set by the Supreme Court for the re-examination of his case, Erion Veliaj is undertaking a series of moves in the leadership of the Municipality of Tirana. 

In a few days, several of the leaders have left, while Veliaj has brought another name back into his leadership structures.

The latest move was the dismissal of Vice President Blendi Sulaj . The decision was signed by Veliaj from detention and came just a day after the resignations of Anuela Ristani, Secretary General Eldi Hoxha and Chief of Staff Blerina Beshku.

Departures from Ristan to Sulaj

The series of movements began with Anuela Ristan, who had exercised the functions of managing the Municipality during Veliaj's absence.

On August 28, Veliaj withdrew the delegation of powers from Ristan. The Prime Minister's Office reacted by emphasizing that, according to it, Veliaj continues to be mayor of Tirana and that his mandate must be respected.

" The decision of the Constitutional Court is clear: Erion Veliaj is the mayor of Tirana and exercising his mandate on his part is not simply his right as an elected official, but it is a right of the voters of the capital, which is violated daily with not inconsiderable consequences in the progress of the affairs and services of the Municipality of Tirana. This is the opinion of the Prime Minister and this is a matter of respecting the Constitution and the will of the voters, in which the Prime Minister sees no room for interpretation by anyone. The situation created" in the Municipality of Tirana is part of the confusion that the imprisonment of the elected official in a cell has created in the progress of the capital of Albania, which has imposed a governance of Tirana with subordinates at a distance - a "legal" absurdity that in democratic Europe cannot even be imagined, let alone happen ," the reaction states. 

A few days later, Ristani left office and after her, Secretary General Eldi Hoxha also resigned, while Veliaj decided to reinstate Alban Dokushin to this post.

Dokushi is not a new name to Veliaj's administration. He previously held the position of Secretary General and was removed from office during the period when Ristani was in charge of the Municipality. His reinstatement was made after a court decision in his favor.

On September 2, the wave of changes also affected Blendi Sulaj, who was dismissed from the post of deputy mayor.

Sulaj leaves, but aligns with Rama and Manastirli.
Sulaj's reaction after his dismissal further strengthens the allusions about Veliaj's moves. 

Instead of criticizing Veliaj or commenting on the reasons for his departure, Sulaj thanked Edi Rama for his trust and support and declared that he will dedicate himself to the campaign in support of the Socialist Party and Ogerta Manastirliu.

Thus, an official appointed to the City Hall during Veliaj's absence leaves with the mayor's signature, but declares that his future engagement will be alongside the political line of Edi Rama and the SP candidate for Tirana.

So, beyond the dismissal of a deputy mayor, his move raises suspicions that the political and administrative structure of the Municipality of Tirana is changing ahead of the upcoming electoral race. 

The Prime Minister's Office has accepted the institutional paradox.
While changing people at the management levels, Veliaj has continued to exercise administrative powers.

According to recent media reports, from detention he has approved the salaries of Municipality employees, as well as additional funds for nurseries, kindergartens, and subscriptions for Tirana pensioners.

The Prime Minister's Office itself has acknowledged the institutional paradox, but has maintained the position that Veliaj is still mayor.

The Prime Minister's Office's reaction after Ristan's departure was clear that Veliaj continues to be mayor of Tirana and the exercise of his mandate, according to the government, is also a right of the voters who voted for him.

Thus, the government is not contesting Veliaj's right to exercise his mandate, while Veliaj himself is using this space to make changes to the administration he leads.

September 15, the game-changing date

September 15th is the day when the Supreme Court has scheduled the hearing of Veliaj's case in private.

 The case has been returned to the High Court following the decision of the Constitutional Court, which in its decision on Veliaj found problems with the High Court's reasoning on the proportionality of the measure of detention in prison and overturned its previous decision, returning the case for reconsideration.

This means that the Supreme Court date is not just another hearing in the mayor's trial. It could also directly affect how the Municipality of Tirana will function in the weeks and months to come.

What is Veliaj preparing?
So far, there has been no public statement from Veliaj explaining such a strategy. Therefore, any conclusion that he is specifically preparing a certain scenario would be speculation.

But this series of moves can be read as an attempt by him to reorganize the structure of the Municipality ahead of a key judicial moment.  

But one thing is certain: Erion Veliaj is not behaving like a mayor who has given up control of the institution. Even from detention, he is interfering in the management structure of the Municipality and exercising his powers, while the fate of the security measure is expected to receive an answer from the Supreme Court on September 15./ Politiko.al