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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