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Altin Toska | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Cërrik | |
| In office 29 June 2015 – 30 July 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Sevet Duzha |
| Succeeded by | Andis Salla |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 23, 1976 Shtërmen, Cërrik, Albania |
| Political party | Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) |
| Occupation | Politician, lawyer |
Altin Toska (born June 23, 1976) is an Albanian politician and lawyer who served as the Mayor of Cërrik from 2015 to 2019.[1]
Before entering politics, Toska spent 17 years in Italy, where he worked various jobs in Brescia before returning to Albania in 2015.[2] He was elected mayor as a candidate of the Socialist Movement for Integration during the 2015 Albanian local elections.[3]
As mayor, Toska focused on infrastructure projects, youth employment, and agricultural revitalisation.[4][5] His election and career attracted coverage from both Albanian and international media, which highlighted his journey from migrant worker in Italy to mayor in Albania.[6]
Early life and education
[edit]Altin Toska was born and raised in the village of Shtërmen in Albania on June 23, 1976.[7] In 1998, at around 22 years old, Altin Toska fled Albania describing his homeland as "a place where one could no longer live" and crossed the Adriatic Sea to Italy aboard a boat, without informing his parents and with the very real fear that he might not survive the journey. [8]
He graduated from the University of Piemonte Orientale "Amedeo Avogadro" in Italy obtaining a law degree October 20, 2005. [9]
Career
[edit]After spending 17 years in Italy, where he worked in various manual jobs in Brescia such as construction and restaurant work,[2] Toska returned to Albania in 2015 to enter local politics.[1] He ran as the candidate of the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) in the 2015 Albanian local elections, representing the “Alliance for European Albania” coalition.[3] On 21 June 2015, he was elected Mayor of Cërrik, a municipality in Elbasan County.[3]
During his tenure, Toska’s administration prioritised infrastructure development, including the rehabilitation of local roads and improvements to the municipal water supply system.[4][5] He also introduced programs aimed at boosting agricultural production and creating employment opportunities for youth.[3] Toska sought to attract investment and cooperation with foreign companies, presenting Cërrik as an emerging economic hub.[6]
In 2018, Toska faced challenges related to the municipality’s limited capacity for emergency services, noting that Cërrik lacked a functioning fire department and relied on neighbouring cities for support.[4] The same year, during widespread summer wildfires, he highlighted the lack of resources available to respond locally.[5]
Toska’s term ended in July 2019 following the 2019 Albanian local elections, after which Andis Salla was confirmed as the new mayor of Cërrik.[10]
Challenges
[edit]During Toska's mandate, the municipality of Cërrik faced criticism for its limited capacity to manage public services. In 2018, he stated that Cërrik was unable to build or maintain a fire department due to financial constraints, noting that the municipality relied on Elbasan for emergency coverage.[11]
That same year, in reference to the summer wildfires that spread across Albania, Toska remarked that “our possibilities [to respond] are zero,” highlighting the lack of resources available to the municipality.[12]
Achievements
[edit]As Mayor of Cërrik (2015–2019), Toska promoted a series of initiatives focused on improving local infrastructure and socio-economic conditions.[3] His administration oversaw the rehabilitation of urban roads and the modernisation of the municipal water supply network.[4] Toska also supported agricultural development, encouraging investment in farming and related industries as a means to support the local economy.[6]
One of his more significant projects during his term was the planned construction of the Cërrik–Belsh road, announced in 2015 as part of national infrastructure development by Prime Minister Edi Rama.[13] Toska stated that the roads would improve connectivity between Cërrik and neighbouring municipalities, with benefits for regional trade and agriculture[3]
His administration also supported youth engagement and employment initiatives, including vocational training programs and sought cooperation with foreign companies to generate new job opportunities for local residents.[1] He initiated cultural and community projects aimed at strengthening ties between Cërrik and the Albanian diaspora.[3]
Despite these efforts, Toska’s administration faced resource limitations. In interviews, he acknowledged the municipality’s dependency on external assistance for certain services, such as firefighting capacity. [14]
Electoral performance
[edit]2015 Cërrik mayoral election
[edit]| Candidate | Party/coalition | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altin Toska | Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI), Alliance for European Albania | 9,406 | 59.50 |
| Qamil Boja | Democratic Party of Albania (PD) | 6,403 | 40.50 |
| Total | 15,809 | 100 |
- Sources
Reception
[edit]Toska’s election as Mayor of Cërrik attracted coverage in both Albanian and international media. Italian newspapers such as Il Giorno and QuiBrescia highlighted his journey from migrant worker in Italy to holding political office in Albania, describing him as an example of reverse migration.[6][2] Albanian outlets including Telegrafi and Top Channel reported on his election results and subsequent initiatives as mayor, framing his career as part of broader local governance reforms in the mid-2010s.[1][13]
Personal life
[edit]Toska married and became the father of two daughters. After spending 17 years abroad, he returned to his hometown of Cërrik in 2015, where he entered local politics. [17]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "These are the majority of new mayors". Telegrafi. 24 June 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ a b c "Da clandestino a sindaco in Albania". QuiBrescia. 19 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Ora News: Rezultatet zyrtare përfundimtare për bashkitë (2015)". Ora News. 23 June 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Municipalities unable to build fire departments as planned, current ones are outdated". Top Channel. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ a b c "Many fires, few tools, the state powerless to face the situation". Telegrafi. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Arrivò da profugo, ora torna in patria da sindaco: La storia di Altin Toska". Il Giorno. 18 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ "Altin Toska, CV - Zgjedhje 2023". 17 October 2015.
- ^ "Da clandestino a sindaco in Albania". 19 September 2015.
- ^ https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/atto/serie_generale/caricaArticoloDefault/originario?atto.codiceRedazionale=11A07662&atto.dataPubblicazioneGazzetta=2011-06-21&atto.tipoProvvedimento=DECRETO&utm_source
- ^ "June 30th elections, Court published ruling for new Mayors". Top Channel. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ "Municipalities unable to build fire departments as planned, current ones are outdated". Top Channel. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ "Many fires, few tools, the state powerless to face the situation". Telegrafi. 13 August 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Rama presents Cerrik-Belesh road project". Top Channel. 12 June 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ https://top-channel.tv/english/municipalities-unable-to-build-fire-departments-as-planned-current-ones-are-outdated/
- ^ a b "Cërrik – Profili i Bashkisë". Reporter.al (BIRN Albania) (in Albanian). Balkan Investigative Reporting Network. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
- ^ "Ora News: Rezultatet zyrtare përfundimtare për bashkitë (2015)". Ora News (in Albanian). 23 June 2015. Retrieved 2025-09-12.
- ^ "Da clandestino a sindaco in Albania". 19 September 2015.