The recent mayoral election in the southern Albanian town of Himara has drawn significant attention due to its implications both locally and internationally. The election of Vangjel Tavo from the ruling Socialist Party marks a critical turning point after more than a year of intense political and diplomatic disputes involving Greece. Tavo, who secured 58.62% of the vote, now faces the daunting task of addressing deeply rooted issues, particularly those concerning property registration—a matter of great concern for the local population.
The roots of the current tension trace back to May 2023, when Fredi Beleri, an ethnic Greek mayoral candidate, was arrested just two days before the local elections. His arrest on allegations of vote-buying sparked a significant diplomatic conflict between Albania and Greece. Athens accused Tirana of violating the rights of the Greek minority in Himara and threatened to obstruct Albania’s EU accession process. Despite his incarceration, Beleri was controversially elected as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), intensifying the dispute and drawing unprecedented media attention to the small town.
However, the outcome of the recent elections has shifted the focus back to local issues, particularly the ongoing challenges with property registration. For decades, Albania has struggled with land rights and property ownership issues, exacerbated by the controversial Law 7501, which was introduced after the fall of communism. This law, intended to address property ownership, has often been criticised for creating more problems than it solved, leaving many citizens, including those in Himara, in a state of legal limbo.
Local residents have expressed their frustration over the unresolved property issues. Pano Dhimaleksi, a 64-year-old trader from Himara, lamented the arrest of Beleri, whom he believed would have been a strong advocate for the community’s property rights. “Himara chose Fredi Beleri as mayor because we believed that he would be interested in defending our properties and our rights,” Dhimaleksi stated, highlighting the local discontent with the Albanian state’s handling of the matter.
Another resident, Kristo Karo, 50, shared similar sentiments, explaining that despite years of effort, he has been unable to register his property. “I want the new mayor to prioritise resolving the problems we have with our land and houses,” Karo emphasised, pointing to the widespread dissatisfaction among Himara’s residents. Many feel that successive Albanian governments, irrespective of their political orientation, have failed to address these critical issues adequately.
During the election campaign, both sides played on the public’s frustrations with property rights, a tactic often employed in Albanian politics. Prime Minister Edi Rama of the Socialist Party, alongside Tavo, distributed 437 property registration certificates in an effort to demonstrate progress on the issue. Rama acknowledged the injustices caused by the existing property laws but assured the public that the Socialist government was committed to rectifying these wrongs. He pledged to distribute a further 4,000 certificates by the end of the year, a promise that will now test Tavo’s ability to deliver on campaign commitments.
In the wake of the election, voter turnout in Himara was notably higher than in May 2023, indicating the heightened interest in the town’s political future. However, the election process was not without its issues. Allegations emerged that many citizens were unable to vote due to expired identity cards and a lack of adequate information on how to renew them. Civic activists and opposition parties have criticised the Central Elections Commission for these oversights, with some accusing the ruling party of deliberately disenfranchising voters.
As the new mayor, Tavo must navigate these complex challenges, balancing the need for local governance reforms with the ongoing diplomatic pressures from Greece. His ability to address the property registration issues effectively will be crucial in restoring trust among the citizens of Himara and easing the tensions that have plagued the town for over a year.
