
The reasoned decision of the Constitutional Court has been published in the Official Gazette, which explains the reasons why President Bajram Begaj's decree to hold elections in the Municipality of Tirana on November 9 was suspended.
In the decision, the Court emphasizes that, after reviewing the request submitted by Mayor Erion Veliaj, it was found that the implementation of the President's decree would bring "irreparable consequences" for the right of the local elected official, as long as the court case related to his dismissal is still under review.
According to the Constitutional Court, intervening by decree in such a situation would create legal uncertainty and would affect the exercise of the current mayor's mandate until there is a final judicial decision.
Reasoned decision of the Constitutional Court on the suspension of the decree
DECISION ON THE REQUEST FOR SUSPENSION
The Meeting of Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania, composed of:
Holta Zaçaj
Chairperson
Marsida Xhaferllari
Member
Fiona Papajorgji Member
Sandër Beci
Member
Ilir Toska
Member
Genti Ibrahimi
Member
Marjana Semini
Member
Sonila Bejtja
Member
on 9.10.2025, it took into preliminary consideration the request submitted by the applicant Erion Veliaj with the subject: "Abolition of the decision of the Council of Ministers no. 539, dated 25.09.2025 "On the dismissal from office of the Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Erion Veliaj", as incompatible with the Constitution.
Repeal of the decree of the President of the Republic no. 350, dated 1.10.2025 “On setting the date of the partial local elections for mayor, for some local government units” for the part that sets the date of the local elections in the Municipality of Tirana, as incompatible with article 115, points 2 and 3 of the Constitution. Suspension of the legal effects of the decree of the President of the Republic no. 350, dated 1.10.2025 “On setting the date of the partial local elections for mayor, for some local government units” for the part that sets the date of the local elections in the Municipality of Tirana in application of the suspensive effects that paragraph 2 and 3 of article 115 of the Constitution provides, until the decision is taken by the Constitutional Court.”. The Meeting of Judges, after considering the request for the suspension of the decree of the President of the Republic no. 350, dated 1.10.2025, NOTES:1. On 29.9.2025, the applicant addressed the Constitutional Court (Court) with a request for the annulment of the decision of the Council of Ministers no. 539, dated 25.9.2025 “On the dismissal from office of the Mayor of Tirana, Mr. Erion Veliaj” with the claim that it is in conflict with Article 115 of the Constitution. On 1.10.2025, the President of the Republic issued Decree No. 350, dated 1.10.2025 “On setting the date of the partial local elections for mayor, for several local government units”, including the Municipality of Tirana as defined in point 1 of this act. On 2.10.2025, the Applicant addressed the Court with a request for additional subject matter, also requesting the repeal of the decree of the President of the Republic for point 1 thereof as well as the suspension of the legal effects of this act, based on Article 45 of Law No. 8577/2000.2. In support of the request for suspension, the Applicant claimed that, as long as the Constitution has given the Court the competence and responsibility to guarantee the right of the local elected body, it should prevent the illegal consequences resulting from the President's decree. According to him, the implementation of the decree before the Court has expressed its opinion on the legality of the Council of Ministers that dismissed him from office, risks producing serious, irreversible consequences, affecting not only the institutional position of the local elected official, but also the interests of the state, society and citizens. The applicant claimed that the possible consequences are the organization of elections in a municipality where there is no legal vacancy; the expenditure of human and financial resources for organizing the elections; an electoral process imposed politically and against the will of the citizens. According to him, if the suspension is not imposed, the Court's decision will not restore the previous situation and the consequences would be irreversible, creating a dangerous precedent, the replacement of the local elected official before the validity of the dismissal is established. 3. According to Article 45, point 1, of Law No. 8577/2000, as amended, the Court, ex officio or at the request of the parties,when it assesses that the implementation of the law or act may bring consequences that affect state, social or individual interests, as the case may be, by decision of the Meeting of Judges or in a plenary session, it orders its suspension. According to this provision, first: the subject requesting the suspension of an act must prove the impact on state, social or individual interests, as well as the irreparable consequences that the implementation of the act will bring; second: the examination of the request may be carried out by the Court before or in a plenary session. 4. The Meeting of Judges, after considering the claims of the applicant in support of the request for suspension, assessed that in the specific case it is in the conditions provided for by Article 45 of Law No. 8577/2000.
In the assessment of the Meeting of Judges, the implementation of the President's decree on the holding of local elections only for the Municipality of Tirana would bring irreparable consequences in terms of the rights of the local elected official (the applicant), as long as the judicial case for his dismissal is still under review.
FOR THESE REASONS,
the Meeting of Judges of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania, in accordance with Article 45, point 1, of Law No. 8577, dated 10.2.2000 “On the Organization and Functioning of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Albania”, as amended, and Article 27, of the Rules of Procedure of the Court, unanimously,
DECIDED:
1. The suspension of the decree of the President of the Republic of Albania No. 350, dated 1.10.2025 “On setting the date of the partial local elections for mayors, for some local government units” for the part setting the date of the local elections in the Municipality of Tirana.
Tirana, on 9.10.2025