Erion Veliaj
Erion Veliaj | |
|---|---|
Veliaj in 2015 | |
| 42nd Mayor of Tirana | |
| Assumed office 21 July 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Lulzim Basha |
| Minister of Social Welfare and Youth | |
| In office 15 September 2013 – 30 April 2015 | |
| Prime Minister | Edi Rama |
| Preceded by | Spiro Ksera |
| Succeeded by | Blendi Klosi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 December 1979 Tirana, PSR Albania |
| Political party | G99 (2008–2010) Socialist Party (2010–present) |
| Spouse |
Ajola Xoxa (m. 2014) |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | Grand Valley State University, University of Sussex |
| Signature | |
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Erion Veliaj (born December 17, 1979) is an Albanian politician who has served as the 42nd mayor of Tirana since 2015. Beginning as an activist and the leader of MJAFT!, Veliaj joined the ranks of the Socialist Party of Albania in 2011, where he was appointed Secretary for Youth and Immigration.
Previously, he served as a member of parliament for Gjirokastër and as Minister of Social Welfare and Youth under Prime Minister Edi Rama. In April 2015, Veliaj was appointed as the mayoral candidate of the Socialist Party in Tirana. He won the 2015 Albanian local elections and took office on July 31, 2015. He was re-elected in 2019 and 2023.
In May 2024, the Special Prosecution against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK) initiated an investigation into the assets of Veliaj and his family after corruption allegations regarding the Tirana incinerator project. On February 10, 2025, he was arrested by SPAK on 9 charges of corruption and money laundering, and is currently being held in the Durrës Detention Center. Veliaj’s deputy Anuela Ristani has been appointed as acting mayor.