TIRANA — Call him the Albanian Zelenskyy.
Famous satirist Florjan Binaj has announced his candidacy for mayor of Tirana, backed by the leader of the opposition Democratic Party, Sali Berisha.
Snap elections are being held on Nov. 9 in the Albanian capital after former Mayor Erion Veliaj was removed from his position due to imprisonment on suspicion of corruption and abuse of office, which he denies. The winner of the race will hold the position for two years until the next nationwide local elections.
Binaj, known for his uncanny impersonations of socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama and his appearances on prime-time television, announced his intention to run for office on Saturday.
“I have decided to announce my candidacy for Mayor of Tirana … I believe that my contribution will serve, even though it is half a mandate, hope and unity, improving the lives of all the capital’s residents,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
The announcement was swiftly backed by Berisha — facing legal woes himself — who announced Monday that all opposition voters and parties should support the comedian’s bid, with his center-right Democratic Party leading the call.
Berisha told POLITICO that “Florjan Binaj is an intrepid social activist, a brave advocate of citizens’ causes, especially against corruption both on and off the TV screen, and an exceptional communicator. He embodies precisely what the Albanian opposition has been seeking: not only a way to broaden its reach, but also a response to the growing demand for clean, youthful and urban public profiles.”
Binaj’s candidacy has drawn comparisons to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was a successful actor and comedian before entering politics. But not everyone is convinced Binaj has what it takes to run the capital’s €250 million annual budget, with local commentators calling out his lack of administrative experience.
“Here we are talking about the administration of a city, not about cabaret shows,” analyst and former Democratic Party politician Edvin Kulluri said on local TV Monday.
Binaj will face off against ruling Socialist Party candidate and former minister of education, Ogerta Manastirliu; activist Edlira Çepani; and teacher, author and analyst, Ermal Hasimja. Elections will also be held in five other municipalities.
The Socialist Party, which has just started its fourth mandate in national government, currently holds 54 of the country’s 61 electoral districts.
Binaj did not respond to POLITICO’s request for comment.
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