Tirana Mayor Erion Veliaj has chosen an unusual format of communication: a message created with artificial intelligence, published on social media, in which, speaking from his cell, he repeats that he will keep his promise of free lunches in the capital’s schools. In the same message, he describes his situation as “hostage-taking” and presents his administration’s record as a story of transformation in preschool and pre-university education.
AI message and political accusation from his cell
In the video message published on social media, Veliaj says that for 20 months his “hostage-taking” has continued and that for this reason he cannot communicate in any way other than through artificial intelligence.
He uses this appearance to combine a personal message with a political accounting of the work of the Municipality of Tirana, insisting that no circumstance will stop him from his promise of free food in schools. The claim of “hostage-taking” remains his political position and not a proven fact in the published text.
The record presented: 170 new educational facilities
According to Veliaj’s version, 170 new schools, kindergartens and nurseries have been built in Tirana during his administration. In the calculation he himself gives, this means more than 50 new schools and 115 new kindergartens and nurseries.
The message recalls the condition of the system before the start of his mandate, with nurseries without investment, schools operating in two shifts and overcrowded classrooms. Veliaj presents this as the starting point for interventions that, according to him, changed the educational infrastructure of the capital.
From “Adopt a Nursery” to reconstruction after the earthquake
An important part of the message focuses on the “Adopt a Nursery” initiative, which according to him was used at the beginning to cope with the lack of funds and to restore to operation nurseries with severe infrastructure problems.
Veliaj also mentions the damage from the 2019 earthquake, saying that the municipality’s responsibility increased further to rebuild schools and restore families’ sense of security. At this point, he presents investment in children as a priority choice of his administration.
The promise of free meals remains at the center
The strongest political point of the message is the promise of food in schools. Veliaj says this pledge has not been forgotten and that he will keep it despite his isolation.
However, the published message gives no concrete details on deadlines, cost, source of financing or how this project would be implemented for every student. Beyond the political statement, it remains unclear what stage this initiative is actually at and what administrative or budgetary commitments support it.
At the end of the message, Veliaj thanks parents, teachers, educators and municipal employees, presenting the work in schools, kindergartens and nurseries as a shared achievement.
His appearance through artificial intelligence comes as an attempt to maintain a public presence and shift attention to investments and social promises, at a time when he himself presents himself as isolated and politically obstructed.