European Parliament Draft Report Undermines Veliaj’s Lobbying Efforts

The European Parliament’s recently published draft report on Albania has dealt a significant blow to Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj’s ongoing efforts to influence public perception about his legal troubles through media campaigns and lobbying.

For months, Veliaj has orchestrated what appears to be a coordinated media strategy, with articles appearing in various outlets both domestically and internationally. According to sources, these efforts have involved substantial financial resources, reportedly including “hundreds of thousands of euros” channeled through associates to generate favorable coverage.

The lobbying campaign has extended to publications like “EU Reporter” and other foreign media outlets, where carefully crafted articles have attempted to frame Veliaj’s legal troubles as politically motivated persecution rather than legitimate criminal proceedings. These pieces typically embed criticisms of Albania’s justice system within broader discussions about European integration.

However, the European Parliament’s draft report has contradicted these narrative efforts. In the section titled “The rule of law, the judiciary and the fight against corruption,” the report outlines five key points that directly challenge Veliaj’s portrayal of events.

First, the Parliament explicitly “welcomes the continuation of justice reform” while emphasizing there should be “no delays in cases and attempts at undue influence.” This point appears particularly relevant given allegations that Veliaj has deliberately postponed court hearings for seven months through various legal maneuvers.

The report’s third point underscores that “corruption remains a serious concern and requires strengthening of investigations and punishments, especially at high levels.” This supports rather than condemns the ongoing high-profile corruption investigations in Albania, including those involving Veliaj.

The draft also calls for “addressing corruption at all levels to increase citizen trust” and encourages “continued cooperation with EU agencies such as Europol and Eurojust in the fight against corruption.” These points align with the ongoing legal proceedings rather than suggesting they represent judicial overreach.

Veliaj currently faces 13 criminal charges and has been in detention for a year. Court documents indicate the detention was initially ordered because of concerns he was “destroying evidence.” Since July 2023, his case has been before the court, but proceedings have faced numerous delays attributed to defense strategies.

Legal observers note that Veliaj appears to be building a case for a potential appeal to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, though the Parliament’s draft report may complicate such efforts by endorsing rather than criticizing Albania’s justice reform process.

The mayor’s international lobbying efforts reportedly included spending approximately $220,000 in the United States to change legal representation and shape public opinion about his case.

For Albania’s justice reform efforts, which have been a cornerstone of the country’s EU accession process, the European Parliament’s draft report represents a significant endorsement of ongoing anti-corruption efforts, despite attempts by powerful figures to undermine them through media influence and international lobbying.