Erion Braçe announces his candidacy for the position of mayor of Tirana, contrary to the decision of the SP leader and the structures of the Capital City who have announced the name of Ogerta Manastirliu as a candidate for mayor in the upcoming local government elections in 2027.
Yesterday, the meeting of the Assembly of the Socialist Party of Unit 5 was held, where delegate Taulant Balla and two MPs, Erion Brace and Fatmir Xhafaj, were present.
The tone has been raised a lot after the complaints and concerns expressed by the socialists at the meeting, from employment to everyone's contributions.
None of the members of the Tirana Socialist Party Assembly, which is also considered the heart of the socialists in the capital, has been satisfied with the way socialist policies have developed in the area so far.
Braçja was among the last to speak.
Brace's words: As you understood, this situation cannot be like this anymore. They cannot find a solution to the problems that the socialists have and there is a need for a different organization. Therefore, in this situation, I will come out to ask for the support of the socialists not only of unit 5, but throughout Tirana and if I will not be the official candidate of the SP, I will announce my candidacy as an independent candidate for mayor of Tirana, " Brace said at the meeting, causing quite a bit of surprise but also leaving the socialist leaders of the center, Taulant Balla and Fatmir Xhafa, speechless.
Braça's statement comes at a time when Rama himself is invested in going out into the field and meeting with the socialists.
Two days ago, with the socialist structures of Unit 2, Edi Rama, without the presence of cameras, disappeared as soon as he finished his speech and made it clear that the official SP candidate for mayor is Ogerta Manastirliu.
The developments in Unit 5 come after yesterday's meeting of the SP Parliamentary Group at the Brigades Palace, where there was another clash between SP Chairman Edi Rama and former Foreign Minister Elisa Spiropali.
The situation in the Socialist Party is no longer as calm as before, with more voices trying to create opposition and oppose Edi Rama's decisions and actions, clashes that have occurred since the "Balluku" issue appeared on the political scene.
It remains to be seen what the reaction of the structures in the center but also in Tirana will be after the sudden announcement of Erion Braçe's candidacy as an independent candidate in the capital's municipality.