Anuela Ristani has resigned from the position of deputy mayor of Tirana, a few days after Mayor Erion Veliaj removed her powers to run the institution.
Ristani had taken over the delegated leadership of the Municipality of Tirana in February 2025, after Veliaj could not exercise his duties normally. Through an order dated February 14, 2025, the mayor had delegated to her some of the powers for the management of the Municipality and the functioning of the administration.
After the latest decision, Veliaj revoked the order for the delegation of powers, restoring direct leadership of the institution. The decision came at an important period for the Municipality of Tirana, following judicial developments and the decision of the Constitutional Court regarding the institutional situation and the continuation of the mayor's mandate.
In the decision to remove his powers, Veliaj argued that the delegation was a temporary measure, taken to guarantee the normal functioning of the municipal administration in conditions when he could not exercise his duties.
The revocation document also mentioned allegations of problems in institutional coordination and non-implementation of several of the mayor's orders, raising questions about the manner in which delegated powers were exercised.
Ristani, who for more than a year had been one of the main figures in the leadership of the Municipality of Tirana, has now decided to step down from the position of deputy mayor.
Her resignation marks another important development in the leadership structure of the Municipality of Tirana and comes at a time when the institution has faced a series of political and legal developments.
It now remains to be seen who will take on a role in leading the Municipality of Tirana after Ristan's departure and whether this change will bring other reorganizations in the municipal administration.
