Erion Veliaj has reacted for the first time following the decision of the Constitutional Court, which reinstated him in office by overturning the dismissal decision issued by the Council of Ministers.

In a post on his Facebook page, Veliaj stated that the Constitutional Court’s decision “is not a decision about one person, but about Albanian democracy, about the free vote, and about every citizen who believes that power stems from the people and belongs to them.”

Veliaj’s Full Statement

Dear friends,
Due to the circumstances I’m in, I was only now able to send this short note through my lawyers.
Constitutional justice has spoken.

The decision of the Constitutional Court was not about restoring my mandate to me personally, but about returning it to those it truly belongs to — the people of Tirana.
This is not a decision about one person, but about Albanian democracy, about the free vote, and about every citizen who believes that power stems from the people and belongs to them.

The Constitutional Court restored not just a mandate, but the dignity of the law and the belief that the state still has a compass. Justice may delay, but it does not forget.

Thank you to every citizen of Tirana who believed, who waited, and who did not give up.
I will do everything in my power to ensure that work continues, and I will tirelessly seek not to be hindered in exercising the mandate you have entrusted to me.
Tirana does not stop. I love you all!

On November 3, the Constitutional Court issued its final decision regarding the fate of Tirana’s mayor, Erion Veliaj.

With five votes in favor and three against, the Court overturned the government’s decision to dismiss him, declaring it unconstitutional.