Government
Over 130 agency heads hand in resignations on Rama's order, including the chiefs of Customs and Taxes
Besmir Beja, Ilir Binaj and Etugert Llazi are among the officials who resigned. According to government sources, they remain in office for now pending a performance review.
By ANN Newsroom · Newsroom
October 23, 2026, 18:30 · Updated 18:39 · 1 min read
In brief
- The heads of Customs, Taxes and the National Business Center handed in their resignations after the prime minister's request.
- According to unofficial sources, more than 130 agency heads in Tirana and the districts have done the same.
- Adea Pirdeni was sworn in as minister of public administration.
Three heads of institutions under the Ministry of Finance and Economy handed in their resignations on Friday: Customs Director General Besmir Beja, Taxes Director General Ilir Binaj and National Business Center Director Etugert Llazi.
The move follows Prime Minister Edi Rama's request to ministers on Thursday that the directors of state agencies in Tirana and the districts resign. In the morning Rama gathered ministers and the political leadership of the Socialist Party (PS) on the issue.
Over 130 resignations in a day
According to unofficial government sources cited by Top Channel, more than 130 agency heads handed in their resignations in less than 24 hours. The largest number, 33, is reported at institutions under the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports, followed by 24 at institutions under the Prime Minister's Office and 21 at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. Health and education are not included in this wave. The government has not yet commented officially.
The same sources say that in the first phase the resignations are simply filed and the directors stay in office. In the second phase each one's work will be assessed before deciding whether they continue. The sources link the process to the prime minister's push for meritocracy in the administration. Similar mass requests were made in 2021 and 2023.
Pirdeni takes office
The process is expected to be led by Adea Pirdeni, who was sworn in on Friday before President Bajram Begaj as minister of public administration. The decree appointing her had been approved a day earlier in Parliament with 76 votes in favor. She previously served as minister of state for public administration and anti-corruption.
