In an interview with Sokol Balla on ABC News, Prime Minister Edi Rama stated that Erion Veliaj will remain mayor of Tirana until 2027, despite being in prison. Rama said he has “deep human regret” for Veliaj’s situation and that he is “being held hostage in prison,” adding that, according to him, he could be investigated even if he is free.
Rama demanded that the issue of Veliaj's release be resolved by the Constitutional Court:
"The Constitutional Court must release him, because it is a contradictory decision if it does not release him."
He stressed that the majority will not attempt to dismiss Veliaj under these conditions:
"We cannot bang our heads against the wall, we cannot go against the decision of the Constitutional Court."
Rama also confirmed that the Socialist Party's candidate for Tirana Mayor in 2027 will be Ogerta Manastirliu, ruling out any possibility of Veliaj running again:
"Veliaj cannot be a candidate for 2027, because he cannot run for a fourth time."
Asked about the investigations related to Minister Belinda Balluku, Rama said:
"SPAK has its own job, we have ours."
Regarding participation in the November 9 by-elections, Rama said:
"The participation was high because there was no competition. The DP put in an actress. It is not our responsibility to have a strong opposition, not even in the context of integration."
In the interview, Rama also denied that he has internal political conflicts:
"I have a political son who is trying to kill me at the moment."
