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Battle for May 11/ Rama 'disappears' Veliaj's people, puts them on an open list

Politiko 2025-03-13 17:48:20

Battle for May 11/ Rama 'disappears' Veliaj's people, puts them

The Socialist Party led by Prime Minister Edi Rama submitted last night at midnight to the CEC the names of 140 candidates for MPs for the May 11 elections.

The Socialist list had some surprises, although the strategy used this time by Rama was announced a few days ago by himself. According to him, the single-term MPs will not run on the closed list, but will enter the electoral battle to collect votes themselves to secure a seat in the next Assembly.

What stood out was that a large number of current MPs were left out of the race, definitively excluding them, while many prominent names with years of contributions to the SP are in the 'risk' zone.

Thus, we are talking about names like Erion Braçe, Pandeli Majko, Damian Gjiknuri, the person who played a role in changing the new Electoral Code so that the vote of emigrants would be counted within the legal deadlines, Fatmir Xhafaj, former minister Etilda Gjonaj, Anila Denaj, etc. These names were listed on the open list for the Tirana district, just as another detail cannot fail to catch our eye.

Etjen Xhafaj, Klotilda Bushka, and Toni Gogu, also considered the 'hand' of Mayor Erion Veliaj, who was arrested on February 10 of this year, also remain on the open list.

During the joint press conference held today alongside the Commissioner for EU Enlargement, Edi Rama answered several questions from journalists regarding the ranking of names on the lists for the May 11 elections.

Asked about leaving names like Erion Braçe or Fatmir Xhafaj on the open lists, Prime Minister Rama responded that the closed lists included people who would not be able to enter the Assembly on their own. Meanwhile, the open lists included those people who have their own connections and can get the votes they need to become MPs.

"The SP cannot be the party of those who are inside, the SP must also be the party of those who are its own. The SP is not a goal, but a means. Those who are inside and have control over this means cannot use the SP as a means to hinder others.

"With the system we have in the closed lists, we have included people who would not be able to enter the Assembly, in the open lists we have included people who have the recognition, people who will get their votes," said Rama.

Veliaj is suspected of "Corruption" and "Money Laundering". For the same criminal offenses, but also "Failure to declare assets", initially under "house arrest" and then "compulsory appearance", his wife, Ajola Xoxa, has also been placed under "house arrest" and then "compulsory appearance".