Three days after President Bajram Begaj decreed May 9 as the date for local elections, the mayor of Lezha, Pjerin Ndreu, becomes the first candidate to announce his candidacy.
He says that on May 9th he will run for a third term as mayor of Lezha, even though election day is far away and the parties have not yet designated candidates.
The fact that Ndreu has announced his candidacy ahead of time indicates that he will have received the approval of Prime Minister Rama in advance.
Otherwise, it would be difficult to reconfirm itself ahead of time.
Ndreu's post
Several reasons and many responsibilities for re-nomination on May 9th!
On May 9th, I will run for a third term as head of the Municipality of Lezha, because we have strong reasons to continue and even greater responsibilities to fulfill!
The first term, 2019–2023, was a battle of extraordinary difficulty.
We inherited a municipality with:
• 4.6 million euros in debt.
• 1200 employees, with more than half not showing up for work.
• 12.7 million euro budget, 65% of which came from government grant.
• Abnormal rent payments.
• 67% of the budget for salaries and only 17% for investments.
• Alarming waste situation, especially on the coast.
• urban and rural infrastructure in poor condition.
And as if this weren't enough, just three months after taking office we faced the earthquake, then the pandemic and the market crisis due to the war in Ukraine.
But we didn't give up! We didn't complain! We faced it and worked!
Today, after almost 8 years, Lezha speaks with numbers, not words!
• The budget for 2027 is expected to reach 33–34 million euros, up from 12.7 million at the beginning. A figure that needs no comment! 0 Debt!
• 65% of the budget is provided by our own income and only 35% by the government.
• 59% of the budget goes to investments.
• 60% of investments are made in rural areas.
• We are among the top 4 municipalities for donor projects.
• Over 250 km of rural roads, including ongoing projects.
• Among the best municipalities in the country for waste management.
• Qualitative steps in tourism, sports, social issues, art, culture and cultural heritage.
• Significant improvements in water supply, sewerage and 900 km of irrigation and drainage canals.
From a municipality that could barely afford expenses, to a municipality that invests, develops, and projects the future!
I'm not going to go on any longer. I don't claim that we've done everything, nor that everything is perfect. But whoever knows Lezha in 2019 and sees Lezha today, understands the difference!
We still have a lot to do! We have major projects underway, work that needs to be completed, and new challenges that require dedication and responsibility.
And above all, we have an extraordinary team of boys and girls from Lezha, socialists, democrats and non-partisans, who work together with unparalleled dedication. This is our strength!
I know there are many who don't like us. But there are even more who believe in us, support us, and give us the strength to move forward!
It is precisely to this belief that we owe more work, more results, and more responsibility!
A third mandate is not a request for a privilege. It is a commitment to finish what we have started and to take Lezha even further!
We will continue to serve everyone, even those who don't like us. Because the Municipality belongs to everyone and our work belongs to everyone!
While those who don't love us will have to put up with us for another four years... working!
On May 9th, let the citizens speak! We have something to show and we know what we still have to do!