The Central Election Commission of Albania (CEC) has officially removed Alfred Beleri, the mayor of Himara, from office following a conviction for vote-buying during the 2023 local elections. This action was taken in accordance with Law 138/2015, which mandates the Central Election Commission to verify candidate eligibility based on self-declaration data submitted during candidacy, and nullify positions if subsequent checks reveal ineligibility or disqualification.
Beleri, an ethnic Greek, was imprisoned by Albania’s Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime in March 2024. Despite his conviction, political friction persists. Greece’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing concerns over the rule of law and electoral integrity, released a statement criticizing the decision for infringing on Beleri’s presumption of innocence and the evidentiary process.
Defending Beleri, his lawyer contested the CEC’s decision, asserting the Commission lacked the authority to revoke his term as he had not yet commenced duties. However, CEC’s Chairman, Ilirjan Celibashi, refuted this argument, stating that under Albania’s decriminalization law, individuals convicted of certain crimes cannot hold public office.
Ivi Kaso, representing the opposition coalition, labeled the decision a violation of Law 138/2015, maintaining that post-submission circumstances of self-declaration should not be within the CEC’s jurisdiction. This legal contention pairs with Greek political pressure: Greece has warned it may obstruct Albania’s EU accession process unless significant rule of law concerns, exemplified by Beleri’s arrest, are resolved. A final plea to Albanian Prime Minister Mitsotakis underscores the political and legal complexity of the situation, with Greece advocating for Beleri’s right to take office while in pre-trial detention, as per Albanian law. For more detailed coverage, visit JURIST.