7 Convicted Mayors

7 Convicted Mayors

Prime Minister Edi Rama is holding off on constituting the new Municipality of Shkodra until the last possible moment following accusations made against the newly elected mayor in the Socialist Party’s biggest victory in the historic bastion of the Democrats.

After the Democratic Party released documents proving that Valdrin Pjetri was convicted in Italy on charges of manufacturing and trafficking narcotics, the Socialist Party has suspended his swearing in as Leader of the Northern capital.

Meanwhile, on August 20th the term of the current Democratic Mayor, Voltana Ademi, expires, thus making it unclear what will happen to the chairing role of this municipality.

According to Article 10 of the Electoral Code, elections must be held no earlier than 30 days and no later than 45 days from the date of termination of the mandate.

Meanwhile, as the President has decreed October 13 as an election date for local government bodies, according to him there has been no new mayor chosen by the voting of June 30 and therefore no dismissed chair.

However in order to conduct an election on this date, the President's decree must first be published in the Official Notebook and this requires the will of the majority.

The Socialist Party's categorical rejection of October 13th may deepen the institutional crisis.

The case of Shkodra's Mayor also revealed the failure of the agreement between the General Prosecution office and the Central Election Commission to verify the integrity of the candidates for the June 30 elections.

The situation of Valdrin Pjetri has again placed a spotlight on Edi Rama's poor political choices.

Valdrin Pjetri is just the latest name to be added to the list that also includes Elvis Roshi, Armando Prenga, Arben Ndoka and Mark Frroku, all elected by the Prime Minister to govern citizens and all forcibly removed from politics as a result of being condemned under the decriminalization law.



EMISIONET