Journalist Klodiana Lala, in a connection with the show “The Unexposed” on MCN TV, shared details from the Constitutional Court meeting on the decree of the President of the Republic for the partial elections of November 9 in 6 municipalities of the country. She shared details from the meeting that decided to suspend the elections in the municipality of Tirana, and stated that there were fierce debates among the judges of the Constitutional Court on Article 115 of the Law on Local Elected Officials.
"The Constitutional Court decided today to pass to a plenary session the request of Mr. Veliaj, which considers as unconstitutional the decision of the municipal council to dismiss and suspend the decree of President Bajram Begaj to decree the partial elections on November 9.
This decision does not affect the elections for the 5 partial municipalities, but suspends the elections in the capital's municipality.
The judges' meeting was not held only today, there was a meeting yesterday as well and there were strong debates about Article 115 and according to it, the President of the Republic was considered suspended and decreed the election day and the Court decided to suspend the decree for the November 9 elections in Tirana and to summon Mr. Veliaj on October 31. According to the law, he, his lawyers and the other parties in the process such as the Prime Minister and the Presidency will be there to present their arguments.
If Mr. Veliaj's suspension remains in effect automatically and is then made public, the president has the right to announce elections in February or March next year.
The conversations I have had have been about the debate on Article 115 of the law on local elected officials, stripping them of their status as elected by the people. For me, the decree was illegal, but the court, although delayed, would be an extension of politics if it did not suspend it. The strongest debates have been about Article 115.
The GJK did not do this and Veliaj, through his lawyers, did so and the court suspended the order.
Regarding Mr. Veliaj's request, it was made quickly by the Constitutional Court and it is within the legal deadlines. The court will decide by October 31 whether Veliaj will be given the opportunity to be in the session.
It takes 30 days to announce the decision. The hearing ends on October 31st, and the decision is expected to be announced by the end of December.
There will be a new election date in February-March.
"There have been fierce debates and the fact that it lasted two days shows this," said Lala./TPZ
