Former Secretary General of the Socialist Party Damian Gjiknuri stated that the change in the
Socialist secretariat comes as a necessity of refreshing this political force, especially in the context of new elections for party leaders in all municipalities of the country.

During a media statement from the SP headquarters, Gjiknuri, while stepping down from his position, reiterated that even after the victory in 2021, the Socialist Party reorganized its leadership bodies.

“I handed over the responsibility to a highly respected colleague. I want to remind you that even after 2021, the Socialist Party, despite the victory, went through a reorganization. This party, regardless of the victory, seeks to reflect on what it can do better. So, the result of 2021 was a historic outcome, but once again, the SP underwent a refreshment of its leadership and party secretariat,” said Gjiknuri.

When asked by reporters about this decision, Gjiknuri stated that he has a very good communication with the party’s leader and the country’s Prime Minister, Edi Rama, as evidenced over the past 20 years.

“Personally, I don’t feel abandoned; I am in constant communication with the party chairman. We have a relationship that many colleagues know is a stable working relationship, with closeness and distance as much as the respective positions allow. I respect his decision, and I certainly appreciate his leadership and the natural instructions he has given throughout my career, decisively putting me in various positions, and you know that with power comes exposure and risk. The higher the positions, the more administrative power one has, the more attacks one will face,” he said.

Gjiknuri also responded to journalists’ questions regarding the incinerator issue. The Socialist deputy dismissed the political accusations made against him by the opposition, emphasizing that he has only followed the law.

“I am used to accusations. It is not the first time I have been accused, unfortunately perhaps due to my strong personality, my political stance both in opposition and in power, and the key positions I have held. I have always been accused. Of course, there is political diversity. Political accusations are widespread. There is only one justice and the law, and the justice authorities will speak the truth. As for the investigation, to tell you the truth, this investigation has been going on for years. You know that the incinerator dossier has been ongoing for over two years. They have never summoned me. At any moment they call me, I will naturally give an explanation. I have explained it, and you have seen it; the role of the Minister of Energy has been very peripheral, with no direct competence,” Gjiknuri said.

The entire secretariat of the SP was dismissed in the Socialist Assembly and in September an extraordinary Congress will convene to choose the new names.

Damian Gjiknuri has been a prominent figure criticized by the opposition for his involvement in the incinerators issue. He had previously held the Minister of Energy and Industry portfolio from 2013 to 2017 and subsequently served as the Minister of Infrastructure and Energy for just over a year.

His name had also surfaced in a recent dossier concerning former Deputy Prime Minister Arben Ahmetaj. The dossier alleged that in at least two instances, the entrepreneurs awarded incinerator contracts had paid for Gjiknuri’s foreign hotel stays. However, Gjiknuri vehemently denied these claims, stating that these were work-related visits and all expenses were appropriately covered by the ministry. Supporting documents published by the press confirmed his statements.

Meanwhile, the interim Secretary General of the Socialist Party Blendi Klosi, during a media statement, outlined the main objective of his work in reforming this political force, which is to win the 2025 electoral race.

Klosi said that it is a privilege to take on the new role. He added that together with Prime Minister Edi Rama, the political force has deepened its success in electoral competitions.

“Of course, my colleague [Damian Gjiknuri] has done an excellent job, achieving an extraordinary result in 2023. SP aims not only to move towards victory in 2025, winning the fourth mandate, but also to have a new party that finds its strength within its structures, its supporters, its people, its members, and the citizens who now clearly expect the Albanian progress to come from the Socialist Party. This is a duty that will require us to work long hours in every city and village of the country,” emphasized Klosi.