When a Mayor lies: Should he be held accountable, and can we trust anything else he says? – Erion Veliaj case!

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In recent years, Tirana’s mayor, Erion Veliaj, has made grand declarations about the city’s greening efforts, specifically his claim of planting 1 million trees and his ambitious goal of planting 2 million by 2030. However, these figures are now being challenged not just by political opponents but also by official data from the Municipality of Tirana and analyses from experts. This raises a critical question: if the mayor is lying about such a significant achievement, should he be held accountable, and can we trust anything else he says?

Veliaj’s Claims and the Reality



In March 2023, Erion Veliaj planted what he called the “one-millionth tree” in Tirana’s Artificial Lake Park, celebrating what he portrayed as a milestone in his administration’s environmental mission. He proclaimed that the city was halfway through its goal of planting 2 million trees by 2030—a bold statement meant to position his leadership as environmentally progressive.

But is it true? According to a report from the Agency of Parks and Recreation (APR), the Municipality of Tirana itself has admitted that only 563,294 trees have been planted thus far, far short of the 1 million trees Veliaj claims. This glaring discrepancy raises the serious issue: if the mayor is lying about such a large-scale project, how can citizens trust him on anything else?

Critical Analysis and Logical Inconsistencies

One of Veliaj’s strongest critics, Belind Këlliçi, a former mayoral candidate for Tirana, has openly challenged these claims using simple math and official data. He points out that in order to plant 1 million trees, the city would need at least 40 square kilometers of space—essentially the entire surface area of Tirana, which spans about 41 square kilometers. Këlliçi emphasizes that it’s physically impossible to have planted this many trees without turning the entire city into a forest.

Additionally, Këlliçi refers to official APR data showing that the real number of trees planted is closer to 60,000. This massive discrepancy between 1 million trees and the actual 60,000 further underscores the outright falsehood in Veliaj’s public statements. The official data, backed by documents, shows that the mayor’s numbers are not just wrong—they are a blatant fabrication.

Contradictions with Municipal Data

Another issue that emerges from this analysis is the contradiction between Veliaj’s public statements and the official stance of the municipality. In an investigative article by ACQJ, it’s revealed that the Municipality of Tirana admitted, in response to inquiries, that “the revenues from parking fees are not specifically allocated for greening purposes.” This contradicts Veliaj’s repeated public claims that every penny collected from paid public parking goes directly toward tree planting.

This stark inconsistency between the mayor’s public declarations and the actual use of funds reinforces a deeper issue: the lack of transparency and the deliberate deception of the public.

Should Veliaj Be Held Accountable for His Lies?

When a public official, particularly the mayor of a major city like Tirana, makes false promises or misleading statements, the question arises: should they be held accountable? Lying about major initiatives such as urban greening is not just a rhetorical issue; it directly affects how citizens perceive their leadership and whether they feel represented by their elected officials.

In this case, the numbers Veliaj presents to the public are simply untrue. This raises serious questions about public accountability and transparency. When a mayor blatantly lies to his constituents, it is not just a matter of public relations—it undermines the trust between the city’s leadership and its people.

Can We Trust Veliaj on Other Promises?

When a political leader is caught in such a significant lie, it is natural to ask: can we trust anything else he says? In Veliaj’s case, his claims about greening Tirana are not just exaggerated—they are entirely fabricated. Additionally, other grand projects, such as his promise to introduce an electric train in the city, remain unfulfilled, further reinforcing the perception that his promises are little more than hollow rhetoric.

Ultimately, citizens deserve transparency and honesty from their leaders. When big promises and ambitious projects turn out to be public lies, there must be accountability. Veliaj, as one of the most prominent political figures in Tirana, must be held responsible for the false claims he has made.

If a mayor cannot be honest about something as tangible as the number of trees planted, how can he be trusted to follow through on any other promise he makes?

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