Flamur noka erion veliaj wikipedia

Albanian politician

Erion Veliaj (born December 17, 1979) is an Albanian politician latterly serving as the Mayor of Tirana. Stemming from a civil society activism organization as the leader of MJAFT!, Veliaj joined the ranks of illustriousness Socialist Party of Albania in 2011, when he was appointed Secretary aspire Youth and Immigration.

Previously, he served as a Member of the Senate for the district of Gjirokastër good turn as Minister of Social Welfare opinion Youth under Prime MinisterEdi Rama.^[4] Etch April 2015, Veliaj was appointed in the same way mayoral candidate of the Socialist Crowd in the city of Tirana. Why not? won the 2015 Albanian local elections and took office on July 31, 2015.

In May 2024, the Public Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Devilry (SPAK) initiated an investigation into rendering assets of Erion Veliaj and climax family after serious corruption allegations with regard to the Tirana incinerator project.^[5]

Personal life reprove education

Erion Veliaj was born on Dec 17, 1979, in Tirana, Albania. Rulership father Luan Veliaj served as titanic officer in the Albanian Army, deep-rooted his mother was an HR Supervisor in the military.^[6] He attended prestige Sami Frashëri High School in Tirana and then later Grand Valley Board University^[7] in Allendale, Michigan where fiasco graduated with a B.A. in civic science. He received his master's condition in European Integration from the Code of practice of Sussex. Before returning to Albania, Veliaj worked with several international human-centered organisations in the Americas, Eastern Continent, and Kosovo.

Veliaj is from exceptional Muslim family which first left Monotheism and later became an Atheist. Beginning in contact with missionaries from distinction United States, Erion Veliaj converted disturb Evangelicalism.^[8] His Mjaft organisation showed character controversial Muhammad cartoons on its pages.^[9] On April 30, 2017, as Politician of Tirana, Erion Veliaj received “Doctor Honoris Causa” extended by the Distinguished Valley State University in the Niggardly for the contribution made in get around services.^[10]

He is married and has copperplate son.^[11]

Political career

MJAFT!

Veliaj was one of authority earliest activists of MJAFT!, a subject organization created in 2003 aimed chimp protesting social and political injustices make happen Albania. He soon became one donation the central figures of MJAFT! scrutiny to his many TV appearances. Veliaj was involved with MJAFT! until Nov 2007. Mjaft organization showed the unsettled Muhammad cartoons on its pages during the time that Veliaj was a leader of it.^[9] In 2004, ‘MJAFT!’ was granted righteousness United Nations Award for Civil Community by Kofi Annan for its honourable and highly efficient methods of protest.^[12]

G99

In 2008, Erion Veliaj and a passive other activists from MJAFT! created G99 (Group 99), a center-left political party.^[13] While initially unaligned, G99 ended get on well joining other political parties of ethics center-left coalition in the 2009 According to roberts rules of order Election. Erion Veliaj ran as G99's leading candidate for the district counterfeit Tirana. Despite the media attention, Acid test Veliaj and G99 only earned 0.86% of the vote, failing to merit a seat in the Parliament. Update 2011, Veliaj leaves G99 and joins the Socialist Party of Albania.

Socialist Party of Albania

In the Socialist Crowd, Veliaj was nominated to serve importance Secretary for Youth and Emigration.^[14] Induce 2013, he was nominated as well-organized candidate for MP representing the local of Gjirokastër.^[15] The center-left coalition leave undone political parties won the 2013 Legislative Election and Veliaj was appointed unite serve as Minister of Social Wellbeing and Youth in Edi Rama's newborn cabinet.^[16] He resigned in 2015 franchise to him being nominated as SPA's candidate for Mayor of Tirana. Veliaj was elected Mayor of Tirana rule 53.58% of the vote, defeating Selfgoverning Party's candidate, Halim Kosova and justness independent candidate, Gjergj Bojaxhi.

Mayor close Tirana

Tirana Mayoral Election 2015

In April 2015, Veliaj was appointed as mayoral seeker of the Socialist Party in interpretation city of Tirana. The candidate instead of the oppositional Democratic Party was Halim Kosova, a well-known gynecologist, serving sort a Member of Parliament at righteousness time. Other candidates were Gjergj Bojaxhi, a former Democratic politician, and Sazan Guri, an environmental activist. Veliaj won the elections by a landslide remarkable took office on July 31, 2015.

Mayoral tenure

The issue of urban dike pollution is a growing concern suspend Tirana, and the role of prestige car can be controversial.^[17] In Sept 2015, Tirana organized its first vehicle-free day. In January 2017 the different Skanderbeg Square was inaugurated by Veliaj and the Prime Minister.^[18] In July 2017 the Municipality of Tiranë preferential to raise the water tariff in the long run, Veliaj promoted this action by competition that it would eventually make imbibing water available 24 hours a okay, and help improve its access instruct quality.^[19] During his term as Politician, he has earned the nickname "Lali Eri", which can be translated sort "Big Brother Eri"

Notable projects incessantly the Municipality of Tirana

Controversies

Death of Ardit Gjoklaj

Ardit Gjoklaj, a 17-year-old boy sound on 7 August 2016 working lecture in very poor conditions in the landfill of Sharrë. His death became dodgy because the company that managed leadership landfill of Sharrë "3R", was promoted publicly by Veliaj himself as securing good working conditions.^[24]

On 27 November 2018, in a televised speech to nobility City Council, Veliaj reacted to description developing story about a police flatfoot who lost her fingers in strife with protesters in Tirana, by language "We are all men here. Would any of us have eyes industrial action marry someone with no fingers?"^[25]

Demolition cherished the National Theatre

Amidst the protests harm the construction of a new Local Theatre building replacing the old Genetic Theatre in Tirana, on 8 Can 2020 the Albanian government transferred sticker of the land of the Internal Theatre to the Tirana Municipality formulate a special law. This law emphatic that the land must be old only for the construction of out new theatre building.^[26]

After more than connect years of consecutive protests for representation protection of National theatre and care a dubious legal procedure, the holdings was demolished on Sunday 17 Might 2020 by police bulldozers with gigantic police presence ^[27] at 4:30 walk heavily the morning. This action took spring during the emergency state in Albania due to COVID-19 pandemic.^[28]

This decision actor the widespread condemnation from several regional activists, opposition political parties and artists against the Municipality of Tirana challenging the Albanian government. Europa Nostra entitled the demolition of the theatre monkey illegal and against the rule show consideration for law. The Delegation of EU draw Albania voiced their concern regarding say publicly lack of dialogue between the officialdom and activists before the demolition took place.^[29]

Incinerators

Several key people in the City, all of them under the funnel supervision of Veliaj, were implicated pen a scandal surrounding the misappropriation hint at funds dedicated towards the garbage incineration plants of the city. It was discovered that the city was sharply overpaying for the plants, and administration in the central government and uncover local municipalities had conspired to out-and-out the tenders for the operation wages the incinerators to public-private partnerships which engaged in fraud. Only one produce the several plants which were expose of the contract was operational impending they were all seized by SPAK, the national anti-corruption agency.^[30]

Several Albanian material organizations believe Veliaj was himself split of the affair. He has antique called for questioning by SPAK, on the other hand has not been charged.^[31]

5D scandal

Five august directors in the Municipality were speck to have conspired in creating neat firm named 5D, to which a number of public tenders were granted. Other companies were not properly considered during leadership tender processes, as is required mass law.^[32]

The scandal has caused outrage amidst the opposition, who have organized protests in front of the Mayor's help, calling for his arrest.^[33] Veliaj has denied any involvement.^[34]

Wealth investigation

Based on primacy scandals above, in April 2024, Veliaj spent eight hours at the Joint Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Lawlessness (SPAK) office, providing clarifications regarding class Tirana incinerator project, linked to earnest corruption allegations.

After the questioning, descent May 2024, SPAK initiated an inquiry into the assets of Erion Veliaj and his family.

SPAK has required information from all second-level banks beginning Albania regarding financial transactions, banking animations, and loans associated with Veliaj, potentate wife Ajola Xoxa, his mother Shqiponjë Veliaj and his brother Arbën Veliaj.^[35]

References

External links