Socialist Party candidate for the Municipality of Kukës Albert Halilaj emerged victorious in the partial elections held in this municipality on September 24.
Final results from the Central Election Commission (CEC) show that Halilaj got 13.025 votes or 63.67%, while his opponent from the opposition coalition “Together We Win” led by Ilir Meta and Sali Berisha, Emri Vata, got 7.431 votes or 36.33%.
Meanwhile, the official Democratic Party led by Lulzim Basha did not participate in this race, due to lack of consensus among the opposition for its candidate.
According to data from the CEC, 35.458 eligible voters voiced their will through the vote, out of a total of 45.946 citizens registered.
Speaking to Euronews Albania after his victory, the new elected mayor thanked the citizens for their trust, while promising to reduce unemployment rates, to further economic development and promote tourism as his main objectives heading the municipality.
Choosing not to comment on his opponent, Halilaj underscored to Euronews Albania that, “I know the administration very well, and I am close to every concern of the citizens. As for my opponent, I have only one positive comment; it’s the only campaign in Kukës that, over the past 30 years, has not had a single incident. The people of Kukës have shown good values and kindness. I promised the citizens to reduce unemployment, promote tourism, and foster economic development. Politics should shift its focus towards the concerns of the citizens, towards people in need. I thank Prime Minister Edi Rama, who has guaranteed that he will be present together with the government in the four years ahead in Kukës.”
Partial elections were held in Kukës following the dismissal and arrest of former mayor Safet Gjici, who was embroiled in a sexual scandal within his office. He had emerged victorious in the local elections of May 14.
The ruling Socialists won 55 out of 61 municipalities in the local elections on May 14. Meanwhile, the defeat of the opposition in Kukës is expected to deepen the disagreements within the Democratic Party’s factions.
The head of the DP in Kukës, Arif Rexhmati, blamed the loss on the leaders of the coalition.
“The Socialists did not win, Berisha and Meta lost for the second time. Kukës, a right-wing stronghold, a victim of communist persecution and more, has been left in the hands of the Socialists. For me, the culprits are in Tirana; the city fell victim to bargains for Berisha’s and Meta’s personal interests. It is time to unite the Democrats from those who trample on the ideas of democracy,” Rexhmati expressed.
Democrat deputy Agron Gjekmarkaj called upon all opposition factors to unite, as the profound loss in Kukës is the latest in an uninterrupted series of defeats.
“Blaming others and excluding oneself does not solve the problem. Perpetual self-victimization is a mental disorder or hypocrisy. We are all to blame, but the biggest culprits are those who do not accept their guilt. As for me, I apologize to the Democrats, assuring you that I will not cease to speak the truth, even when it burns.”
