Former MP Lefter Maliqi, who has confirmed his ambition to run for mayor of Kuçova in the local elections scheduled for 9 May 2027. Maliqi stated that he considers himself the de facto mayor of the municipality and that his candidacy has received the support of Ilir Meta and Sali Berisha. He said he has held several meetings with Meta, with whom he has discussed political developments in the country and the situation in the Berat county.
“I am the political leader of the Freedom Party. I have met Meta several times in pretrial detention. We discussed many things about political developments, including the Berat county. I am the only candidate of the Freedom Party for the local elections”, Maliqi said.
He further stressed that he has also informed the leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, of his intention to run in Kuçova. Maliqi acknowledged that winning this municipality, traditionally considered a bastion of the left, requires cooperation with dissatisfied Democrats and Socialists.
“This time I have equal commissioners, counters, funds and the same ZAZ [Local Electoral Zone Commission]. If I lose, it is my fault”, he stated. Finally, Maliqi pledged that if he wins, he will bring a major change to Kuçova, turning the city into a development model for the country.