The decision was taken under the Constitution and the law governing the State Intelligence Service, the president’s office said.

Hyseni has been placed under house arrest and suspended from her duties by the Special Court for Corruption and Organised Crime (GJKKO).

The measure, requested by the Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organised Crime (SPAK), was issued as part of an investigation involving businessman Ergys Agasi in a case known as “AKSHI”.

Prosecutors suspect Hyseni of two criminal offences, aiding an alleged perpetrator and disclosing state secrets.

Rama, who is in the United States on an official visit, announced Hyseni’s immediate removal from office shortly after the court issued the measure.

“The innocence or guilt of a person placed under indictment is an individual matter before the prosecution and the court,” Rama said, adding that the government would not intervene in the merits of any judicial case or act as an advocate for anyone facing justice.

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In remarks to the media, Berisha said the ruling was “a decision of great importance” in defense of the Albanian Constitution and the constitutional order.

“I salute the unanimous decision of the judges, who defended the Constitution and constitutionalism from its enemies,” Berisha said.

He reiterated the Democratic Party’s full support for independent candidate Florian Binaj in the upcoming Tirana election.

“I believe and hope that, following this decision, all opposition parties will reconfirm their support for Florian Binaj, who, as you know, was warmly received by the citizens of Tirana across all groups and communities,” Berisha added.

The DP leader said his party was also ready to continue the electoral race in five other municipalities.

Commenting on the recent decision in parliament to move to a vote on the agenda without debate, Berisha said the legislature “is moving rapidly toward its own end,” adding that the opposition “will continue to stand firm in every session in defense of parliamentary rules and the Constitution.”

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The Constitutional Court announced today that it, “Unanimously decided to refer the case with the applicant Erjon Veliaj to a public plenary session on October 31, 2025 and to suspend the President’s decree for the part that sets the date of the elections in the Municipality of Tirana”.

President Begaj decreed November 9 as the date of the partial local elections in 6 municipalities, including Tirana, whose mayor was dismissed by government decision.

Veliaj has challenged his dismissal from office and addressed the Constitutional Court.

Veliaj’s dismissal from office was made upon proposal of Minister of State for Local Government, based on Article 100 of the Constitution and letter “c” of Article 62 of the Law “On Local Self-Government”, which provides for the dismissal of a mayor if he is absent from duty for more than three months without interruption.

The municipal council voted with 50 votes in favor of approving the proposal for the dismissal of Veliaj.

After filing of the appeal, the Constitutional Court appointed Judge Sonila Bejtja as rapporteur for the review of the appeal of the former mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj, regarding his dismissal from office. /gj.m/j.p/p.s./

Elections will be held in the municipalities of Tirana, Vlorë, Berat, Mat, Tepelenë, and Cërrik. The vacancies in Vlorë, Berat, Mat, Tepelenë and Cërrik following the resignations of their respective mayors, while the post in Tirana was declared vacant after the mayor was dismissed last month by the Council of Ministers, based on a proposal by the Tirana Municipal Council.

The council voted overwhelmingly – 50 in favor, one against – to call early elections in Tirana, citing the mayor’s prolonged absence from office.

In a statement, the President’s office clarified that the dismissal process in Tirana was reviewed to ensure compliance with procedural norms and the autonomy of local institutions. The decision was based on the finding that the Municipal Council and Council of Ministers acted within their legal powers following a verification process.

Under Albanian law, only dismissals based on criminal convictions or serious constitutional breaches are eligible for suspension pending appeal to the Constitutional Court. In this case, any appeal would fall under the Administrative Court’s jurisdiction and would only suspend the decision if the court explicitly orders it.

The President noted that no legal challenge had been filed in the competent court since the government’s decision on September 25, and the deadline for issuing the election decree was 48 hours from receiving the official notification.

The head of state called for an ethical campaign in line with the Electoral Code and broad voter turnout.

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The formation of the new cabinet will be finalized in the coming days, as required by the Constitution, once Parliament approves the government’s program and lineup. The swearing-in ceremony will be held at the President’s Office.

The new Council of Ministers includes:

Belinda Balluku – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy

Albana Koçiu – Minister of Interior

Elisa Spiropali – Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs

Petrit Malaj – Minister of Finance

Blendi Gonxhja – Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports

Sofjan Jaupaj – Minister of Environment

Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi – Minister of Education

Evis Sala – Minister of Health and Social Welfare

Delina Ibrahimaj – Minister of Economy and Innovation

Besfort Lamallari – Minister of Justice

Pirro Vengu – Minister of Defence

Andis Salla – Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development

Ervin Demo – Minister of State for Local Government

Majlinda Dhuka – Minister of State and Chief Negotiator

Adea Pirdeni – Minister of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption

Toni Gogu – Minister of State for Parliamentary Relations

The cabinet is composed of 17 ministries, including – for the first time – a virtual minister: Diella, an AI-based assistant from the government’s e-Albania platform, appointed as Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence. Her mission is to improve efficiency, service quality, and transparency in governance.

PM Rama is expected to present the government’s fourth-term program in a marathon parliamentary session before the official swearing-in.

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President Bajram Begaj on Thursday issued a decree setting May 11 as the date to elect 140 lawmakers for a four-year mandate.

The presidential decree follows consultations with the Central Election Commission (CEC), which had a window between April 15 and May 15, 2025 to choose the date.

President’s office said in a press statement that the main reason for setting May 11 as the date for the next year’s general election to allow the central election body to finalize legal and logistical preparations, including enabling overseas Albanians to vote.

The head of state said that the major challenge for these elections is voting from abroad, stating that massive inclusion of voters living and working abroad is essential to democracy in the country.

President’s office also said that the main opposition Democratic Party, as well as other parliamentary parties had raised the concern with the President of the Republic over the upcoming sixth Summit of European Political Community scheduled for May 8-9, arguing that timing could provide the ruling Socialist Party with unfair advantage. However, the President said that  after verifying with the relevant authorities, the President confirmed that the summit would take place after the elections.

With this confirmation, the President agreed to the CEC’s request and set May 11 as election ay. All political parties have now accepted the decision, clearing the way for the elections to proceed as planned.

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In his remarks at the ceremony, the head of state highlighted the challenges facing Albanian higher education system and the mission of the heads of public universities.

The Minister of Education and Sports Ogerta Manastirliu, the Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Education and the Media, Ina Zhupa, and the Head of the Academy of Sciences, Skënder Gjinushi, attended the ceremony.

The President described their appointment as a starting point that will mark the beginning of a new chapter in their academic life, a valuable opportunity to lay the foundations for a new and rich university experience.

“Newly elected to this important position, you are already becoming heads of a dynamic community, ready to face the challenges of the country’s present and the future. You and the universities that you will lead share common objectives and unite in the desire for high academic achievements to contribute positively to our society and forge a better future for our many generations to come,” Begaj said.

According to Begaj, the rectors share the responsibility and the privilege to create the conditions where the Albanian youth can fully develop their human and professional potential.

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The President of Republic decreed the law No. 81/2024 on several appendixes and changes to the law No. 10 019, dated 29.12.2008, the Electoral Code of the Republic of Albania amended.

“The law, which gained broad parliamentary backing, is a product of discussions and cross-party deal on implementation of the Constitutional Court rulings on abrogation of several provisions of the Electoral Code. Parliamentary cooperation, as well as the responsibility and respect to the constitutional and the rule of law principles are political and legal values of a truly democratic system,” the President’s office said in a press statement.

Albania’s parliament passed significant amendments to the Electoral Code, with 106 votes in favor and just 2 against at its final session before the summer recess last Friday.

One of the most notable changes is the introduction of gender quotas, which passed with 103 votes. This move aims to boost the representation of women in Albanian politics, marking a significant step towards gender equality.

Another key update allows Albanian citizens living abroad to vote by mail. Approved by the Law Commission, this new provision will extend voting rights to all Albanians who have a residence address outside the country, making the electoral process more inclusive.

Under the new changes, one-third of the candidate list will be closed, whereas the remaining candidates will be listed openly and ranked based on preferential votes.

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A press release from the President’s office said that the head of state considered the proposal of Prime Minister Edi Rama, dated July 28, for the dismissal and appointment of several ministers.

After the examination procedure, the President of the Republic Bajram Begaj issued decree on dismissal of Taulant Balla from his post as the Minister of Interior, dismissal of Niko Peleshi from the post of the Minister of Defence, dismissal of Ervin Mete from the post of the Finance Minister, and the dismissal of Elisa Spiropali from the post of the Minister of State for the Relations with Parliament.

President Begaj also approved appointment of Ervin Hoxha to the post of the Minister of Interior, appointment of Pirro Vëngu as Minister of Defence, Minister of Petrit Malaj as Minister of Finance and appointment of Taulant Balla as Minister of State for the Relations with Parliament.

Other changes proposed during the Socialist Party’s congress on Sunday include:

Speaker of Parliament: Elisa Spiropali

Deputy Speaker of Parliament: Bledi Çuçi

Chair of the Socialist Party’s parliamentary group: Niko Peleshi

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In the press release of the President’s Office, it is emphasized that, “As the law was accompanied by comments and criticism at the stage of its review and approval, especially from representative groups of environmental organizations, the President of the Republic undertook a series of consultations and expanded the review procedure to include and receive opinions from the interest groups, but also from the constitutional experts”.

According to the press release, the civil society organizations have claimed that there is a clash with two EU directives (Council directive 92/43/EEC and European Parliament and Council directive 2009/147/EEC), but provide no concrete references.

“The President did not identify any provisions that run counter to the two directives. The implementation of the directives can be completed even under the conditions of this law”, it is read in the press release.

The law “On protected areas” brings new concepts of categorizing biodiversity in the country, according to significance, but also the possibility of updating it more frequently, as well as giving an opportunity to local government and communities to be part of this decision-making ./k.s/p.s./