The DP senior official accused President Begaj of overstepping his constitutional powers by approving elections in Tirana, where outgoing mayor Erion Veliaj has formally appealed his dismissal to the Constitutional Court.

“As we had already warned, Bajram Begaj is not the President of all Albanians, but a robot controlled by Edi Rama,” Bardhi wrote on social media, referring to the Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Socialist Party (SP).

He further claimed that the head of state had committed a “constitutional coup” by undermining the authority of the Constitutional Court and the rule of law.

“Today’s act by the President has plunged the mayoral by-elections in Tirana into a constitutional deadlock,” Bardhi said.

He argued that only the Constitution – not political opinion or government interpretations – determines the proper legal jurisdiction for reviewing the dismissal of an elected mayor.

Earlier today, President Bajram Begaj issued a decree setting November 9, 2025, as the date for partial local elections in six municipalities, including the capital Tirana, following notifications of mayoral vacancies from the Council of Ministers on September 30.

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 City Council.

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

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