Secretary General of the Freedom Party, Tedi Blushi, has refused President Bajram Begaj’s invitation for consultations on setting the date of the 2027 local elections.
In a letter addressed to the head of state, Blushi describes the meeting as inappropriate, arguing that the country is facing a serious political and institutional situation.
Tedi Blushi’s letter to President Bajram Begaj:
Dear President,
I have received your invitation, but I consider it inappropriate to take part in a formal consultation on setting the date of the local elections, at a time when the protests and legitimate demands of university and high school students are the main agenda of Albania.
This formal consultation becomes even more unacceptable, especially after the barbaric state violence, bloodshed and terrorization, as well as the kidnappings and arbitrary and unlawful arrests of students and protesters. Albania is facing a severe crisis of freedoms and fundamental rights, while violence against young people and repression of political pluralism make it necessary for constitutional institutions to respond.
In the face of this constitutional and national emergency, the responsibility of the institution of the President of the Republic cannot be limited to formal consultations, but must focus on clear positions, acts and concrete actions in defense of democracy, the rule of law, and the freedoms and fundamental rights of citizens.
Unfortunately, the institution of the President of the Republic has not fulfilled its constitutional role, especially in the face of state violence against students, high school pupils and citizens who exercise their right to protest. In these circumstances, a formal consultation on setting the date of the elections for local government bodies is entirely pointless and useless.
What is expected of you is to fulfill the constitutional obligation to set the date of the local elections, without turning this responsibility into a formal procedure that could be used for propaganda purposes by the Government and Prime Minister Edi Rama, who are the main responsible parties for the crisis. For these reasons, I inform you that I will not take part in a formal consultation with you, detached from the constitutional and national urgency that Albania is facing.
