Prime Minister Edi Rama Requests Expulsion of Two Socialist Party Members

Prime Minister Edi Rama requested the expulsion of Elisa Spiropali and Plarent Ndreca from the Socialist Party on November 14, 2026. The requests were made during a closed-door meeting of the Socialist Party National Assembly held in Gjiri i Lalëzit. The move follows recent political clashes and public stances taken by both individuals.

Elisa Spiropali, a former Speaker of the Parliament and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has recently been critical of the Prime Minister. This shift in stance follows her dismissal from her previous position. According to reports from the meeting site, Elisa Spiropali posted a caption regarding a failed coup alongside an AI-generated image of Che Guevara.

Plarent Ndreca, a Member of the Parliament of Albania and a former deputy, was also named in the expulsion request. Plarent Ndreca also serves as an attorney for Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj. Regarding the political tension, Plarent Ndreca reported receiving a tense and insulting phone call from Edi Rama regarding his political distance from Erion Veliaj.

Political Leadership Changes in Tirana

The expulsion requests occur alongside significant shifts in the political structure of the Tirana County. Edi Rama recently proposed political leadership changes for the region. As part of these changes, Ervin Demon and Albana Koçi were appointed as political leaders for Tirana County. These proposed leadership changes aim to remove Erion Veliaj from his current political position. However, Edi Rama stated that he will not seek the expulsion of Erion Veliaj from the Socialist Party, noting that his hands are tied.

Context of the Internal Party Conflict

The internal friction within the Socialist Party highlights growing tensions between the central leadership and specific members. Elisa Spiropali was previously a supporter of Edi Rama but became critical of him after he dismissed her from her position. This transition has contributed to the recent political clashes that prompted the National Assembly meeting.

The leadership changes in Tirana County, involving Ervin Demon and Albana Koçi, suggest a broader restructuring within the party's regional influence. While the Prime Minister has moved to expel certain members, he has maintained a specific stance regarding the status of Mayor Erion Veliaj despite the ongoing efforts to change the local political leadership structure.

Glossary

• Socialist Party — The Socialist Party of Albania is a political party that established the Political Academy. The Political Academy is the first academy of modern left-wing leadership in Albania.
• National Assembly — The National Assembly is a body with the power of legislation in Albania. It was designed to have a four-year term and include representatives chosen by direct suffrage, nominees from the prince, and heads of three religions.