The recent mayoral elections in Himare, southern Albania, aimed at filling the vacancy left by the incarcerated ethnic Greek mayor, Fredi Beleri, were reportedly tainted by the influence exerted by Prime Minister Edi Rama's government in favor of their candidate, Vangjel Tavo. In the days leading up to the election, ethnic Greek business owners received ominous warnings about impending inspections by the notorious IKMT agency for alleged construction violations. These individuals had previously supported Beleri in the May 2023 elections.
The pervasive irregularities surrounding construction in Himare heighten the significance of the IKMT inspections. Building permits and repairs are intricately linked to property ownership status, and many beneficiaries lack secure title deeds.
Consequently, IKMT inspections typically result in substantial fines and orders to dismantle unauthorized structures. Notably, the director of the IKMT in the Avlona region—of which Himare is a part—had recently appeared in a video alongside Tavo, proclaiming that voters should back him on August 4, with the implication that Greek speakers in Himare would be silenced thereafter.
The IKMT was merely one of the instruments employed by Rama's government in support of their favored candidate. In the lead-up to the elections, officials from tax, health, and counter-terrorism departments were dispatched to Himare, further evidencing the political maneuvering at play.
In an interview with Kathimerini, Tavo defended himself against allegations of betrayal, stating, “How did I betray Hellenism?
History has judged me, and it will judge me in Himare as well in due course. I have clashed with everyone for the interests of the minority. I have never prioritised my personal interests over those of my region.”