Analyst Ergys Mërtiri has commented on the latest political developments in the country, the local elections, the situation within the Socialist Party and the impact that protests may have on the political scene.

Speaking of News24, Mërtiri said that the local elections have disturbed Erion Veliaj's supporters, who, according to him, feel left out of political action. "Their fate is 'dying'. Veliaj has sought to be released from prison in the hope that Rama would be forced to run for mayor," he said. According to Mërtiri, Prime Minister Edi Rama is under pressure from several fronts, while the protest is damaging the government's image. "Rama has Veliaj on one side who is exerting pressure on him, Balluk on the one hand, and, on the other, the protest, which is crippling the image of this government. Rama is in difficulty," the analyst declared.

He said that currently the main factor keeping Rama in power is his 83 parliamentary mandates, while adding that some citizens are not ready to overthrow the government because they do not want Sali Berisha to come to power.

"The only thing that keeps him in power is 83 mandates, which were given to him by Berisha. Most people are not ready to overthrow Rama, because they do not want to be led by Berisha. This is Rama's only chamberlain, otherwise he would have been drowned in time", said Mërtiri. Speaking about the local elections and the possible candidacies of the Socialists, Mërtiri said that Rama is looking for people he can control politically.

"For Mr. Rama, all the names are the same, it is enough that they are convinced. He does not want a candidacy to lead, but to command him," said the analyst. Mërtiri also commented on the name of Florjan Binaj as a candidate for the municipality of Tirana, which was also supported by the opposition. He said that a figure liked by the public could add a few votes to the opposition, but it would not be enough to win the elections.

According to Mërtir, the local elections will also serve as a test to measure the electoral impact of the protest. "The elections will definitely be held and will show the electoral effect that this protest has had. It will be a contraction, a vacuum, for the two major parties," he said.

The analyst did not rule out the possibility of creating a third political force, which, according to him, could seriously challenge the two traditional parties. "Here it will be clear to the two big parties if a third pole is created. And it is not surprising that these two parties will be scrapped," said Mërtiri. He expressed that he would like the emergence of a new political force with a civic character, but raised concerns that such movements could be hit by political accusations.

The analyst also spoke about the work of SPAK, describing as important the crackdown on high-ranking political figures, both from the majority and the opposition. “SPAK has done extraordinary work, it has cracked down on high-ranking people, it has put people from the government and the opposition in prison, but a large part of the citizens do not trust SPAK,” he said. Mërtiri emphasized that the investigations against Belinda Balluku continue and that a new request for a measure against her, according to him, could create further pressure on Prime Minister Rama.

"The fact that SPAK has requested her imprisonment is serious. If another request were made for the investigation of Balluk, it would force Rama to release her and would reduce the political means he has in the face of the protest," declared Mërtiri. According to him, it remains to be seen whether SPAK will continue with the same intensity and how this will affect political relations and the stability of the government.