TIRANA, Aug. 20 – Demolitions and the confiscation of private property occupying public spaces have started across the city of Tirana, as the new municipal government starts to show off a new law and order campaign that aims to free sidewalks from vendors and illegal construction.
The municipality started the operation in Municipal Unit Nr. 5, which includes the Bllok neighborhood.
Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj led the operation with the assistance of police forces and demolition crews.
Veliaj said he was determined to win the battle for the freeing streets, sidewalks, green areas and any other public spaces which have been illegally occupied.
“I understand that this operation does not make everyone happy, because behind every action we take, every barrier we break down, every parking spot we free, there is someone who gets upset … but there are hundreds of thousands of people who cherish this rule of law,” Veliaj told reporters at the start of the operation.
He said some citizens have misused the freedoms guaranteed by law, blaming the previous municipal administration for being too tolerant.
Veliaj has also called on Tirana residents to join city workers in a general cleaning of the city campaign, starting on Sept. 4.
The cleaning efforts are part of Tirana Municipality’s general efforts of improvement and rehabilitation of urban areas.
Tirana’s deputy mayor Arbjan Mazniku said the new administration would allow no compromises.
“The operation will not cease until all public spaces are recovered and returned to citizens,” Mazniku said.
He added the local government initiative has gathered broad support from the public.
