Tirana Deputy Mayor Anuela Ristani resigns after power revocation

Anuela Ristani has resigned from her position as Deputy Mayor of Tirana following a decision by Mayor Erion Veliaj to revoke her delegated powers. The revocation follows a Constitutional Court ruling regarding Veliaj’s mandate. Ristani, who served the city for over a decade, stated she is leaving with “pride, humility, and much love for Tirana,” noting that “time is the fairest, most impartial, and most ungraspable judge.”

The leadership change has triggered administrative uncertainty within the Tirana Municipality. Because Veliaj is currently in pre-trial detention in Durrës, questions have arisen regarding the legal authority to sign essential documents, including financial agreements, employee salaries, and contracts for municipal projects.

Veliaj’s lawyer, Ndreca, stated that the mayor is prepared to sign necessary documents from detention and has the authorization to facilitate this process. Meanwhile, opposition members in the Municipal Council, including Ilda Zhulali of the Democratic Party, have called for an urgent session to clarify who holds the legal authority to manage the city’s administration and financial obligations.