Tropoja 2025 budget scandal, DP: Mayor under arrest, 'escaps' and signs

The Democratic Party has accused the Municipality of Tropoja of having planned more expenses in the budget than the actual funds.

The Deputy Head of the Entrepreneurship Department at the Democratic Party, Blerina Gjyriqi, declared from the blue headquarters that Rexh Byberi, the chairman under house arrest who turns out to be a fugitive, has signed the expenses, in violation of the law.

DECLARATION:

The Municipal Council approved the 2025 budget for the Municipality of Tropoja on December 24, 2024. According to the complaint received by the Democratic Party, the budget was approved in violation of the law.

First, the violation lies in the value of funds made available to the Municipality of Tropoja, which is less than what was planned for expenditure.

Secondly, the budget was signed by the mayor under house arrest, Rexh Byberi, without a court decision allowing him to return to office. 

Thirdly, on the day that Rexh Byberi signed on December 6, 2024, leaving house arrest without permission, there were two acting chairmen, Mr. Rexhë Byberi and Ms. Zyra Islamaj, acting chairwoman, this constitutes a violation by both officials.

The total of these items amounts to 530,855,476 lekë.

The municipality has a total of 526,933,000 lek available, but plans to spend 530,855,476 lek.

3,922,476 lek more than funds at disposal.

This is the arithmetic of a mayor like Rexh Byberi who signed this budget while under arrest. 

According to the complaint, 74% of the funds available to the municipality go to the salaries of 381 employees for 2025. In a municipality like Tropoja, one of the poorest in Albania, no funds go to investments, because the investments foreseen in 2025 are nothing more than contracts signed years ago, without funds according to the table presented by the Municipality itself.

This is another denunciation that shows the violations committed in the Municipality of Tropoja.

This is the standard of a municipality under arrest.

On behalf of the Democratic Party and the residents of Tropoja, I first demand the implementation of the law, and for this we call on the responsible institutions to act.

Secondly, transparency for residents and good governance for them.

May 11th is the day when we give Rexha in Tropoja and his master, Edit in Tirana, what they deserve. For these open violations and thefts that have enriched them and impoverished the Gjakova Highlands and all of Albania!