Temelko defeated in local elections – Kolefski is the new mayor of Pustec


After serving three terms as mayor, Edmond Temelko was defeated in local elections in Pustec, Albania. The new mayor of Albanian municipality of Pustec, which is mainly populated by ethnic Macedonians is Pali Kolefski. In the controversial elections, Kolefski was the candidate of the Socialist Party of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Kolefski’s victory, a longtime activist of the Socialist Party, was a big one – he won 1,505 votes, while Temelko only won 859. The turnout in Pustec was the highest in Albania – 55.4 percent, while in the whole country it was 21 percent.

Kolefski, who was born in Pustec, and now lives in Korca and works at the Customs Administration, says he was very grateful for the support he received.
“The new function for me means an obligation to all residents, whether they have given their vote to me or not, to return this area through changes.”
He expects support from the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama, but also from the country of origin, North Macedonia.

“Among the priorities are the improvement of the entire depreciated infrastructure, returning the municipality back to the people and increasing transparency,” says Kolefski.
The defeat is another blow to Edmond Temelko, after he was accused in the process of the Special Public Prosecutor’s Office (SPO) for electoral frauds.