The Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj, has sent an official response to the Municipal Council, objecting to the way the procedure for his dismissal was handled.
In his letter to the Council, Veliaj emphasizes that the communication of the Secretary of the Municipal Council has no decision-making value and exceeds his competences, as he is only an administrative functionary and not a political body. He argues that guaranteeing the Mayor's constitutional right to be heard cannot be reduced to a formal notification, but requires a full process, with the right to defense.
Veliaj says he was not officially informed about the meeting to discuss his dismissal, but only through the media. He adds that he was not informed of the reasons or materials on which this procedure is based, considering this a violation of his right to defense.
"I have not been informed about the reasons for the dismissal, the materials that hold me responsible, and I have not been given any opportunity to express myself. This is a truncated procedure that contradicts the principle of due process," Veliaj writes.
At the end of the letter, he underlines that he will await the decision-making by vote of the Municipal Council, defending his constitutional right to be heard before any dismissal procedure.
The document bears the signature of the Mayor of Tirana, Erion Veliaj.
