The Constitutional Court has announced the decision to reinstate Erion Veliaj as mayor of Tirana after he was dismissed by decision of the Council of Ministers. The public plenary session was held on October 31, 2025 with the participation of all members. Veliaj was represented by lawyers Alban Dokushi and Ermal Yzeiraj.
By a majority vote, the Court accepted the mayor's request and annulled the decision no. 539 of the Council of Ministers on his dismissal. The Court considered the decision incompatible with the Constitution. The presidential decree setting the date of the local elections in Tirana was also annulled.
The decision provides for the suspension of the legal effects of the presidential decree until its entry into force. It was taken on November 3, 2025 and announced on January 12, 2026. The decision is final and will be published in the Official Gazette.
In its reasoning, the Court emphasizes that Veliaj's three-month absence from duty cannot be considered a serious violation of the Constitution. The decision assesses that the mayor has no legal responsibility in this case. The Court emphasizes that the serious violation is related only to the failure to fulfill his duty voluntarily.
