The Tirana City Council voted with 51 votes in favor of the Socialist Party’s proposal to dismiss Mayor Erion Veliaj.

Following Veliaj’s dismissal by the City Council, the Prefect of Tirana will now officially notify the Council of Ministers.

On Thursday, the government is expected to hold a meeting where Veliaj’s dismissal will be formalized.

In today’s City Council meeting, three members were absent: Anuela Ristani, the acting chairwoman, along with Socialist councilors Gazmend Paja and Joleza Koka.

Erion Veliaj was dismissed by a majority of votes, with support from the Socialist Party, the Democratic Party, Nisma Thurje, and PS Nisma. Meanwhile, the Movement for National Development and Democratic Conviction did not take part in the vote.

Additionally, councilors Aldo Merkoci, Gazmend Paja, Joleza Koka, and Alfred Muharremi did not participate in the voting process.