Arbjan Mazniku

Arbjan Mazniku holds a degree in Journalism from the University of Tirana and a Master’s degree in Political Communication from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom.^[4]

From 2003 to 2007, Mazniku was active in the MJAFT! movement, a civic initiative focused on youth engagement and promoting good governance in Albania. Prior to that, he served as director of the National Debate Association, where he coordinated debate programs for secondary schools and universities.^[4]

Prior to entering public service, Mazniku served as Executive Director of the AGENDA Institute, a policy analysis organization in Albania focused on governance, European integration, and socioeconomic development.^[4]

Mazniku was Deputy Minister of Education and Sports from 2013 to 2015. From 2015 to 2023, he held the role of Deputy Mayor of Tirana.^[4]

In September 2023, Mazniku was appointed Minister of State for Local Government in the Rama III Government, replacing the state service standards minister post.^[5]

As of May 2025, Mazniku was the political leader of the Socialist Party for the Elbasan region.^[6]

Mazniku has faced allegations of conflict of interest related to a restaurant co-owned by his wife. The restaurant received municipal payments for official events while Mazniku was Deputy Mayor of Tirana. Ownership records listed his wife, Marinela Lika, and Besa Fuga, wife of government PR chief Endri Fuga, as equal shareholders. Further scrutiny emerged over public procurement contracts awarded to entities linked to the resaurant, including a company formerly co-founded by the restaurant's chef and administrator. One such company, 3i-Solutions, secured contracts from municipally owned entities while Mazniku served as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Tirana DC.^[7]

Mazniku denied any involvement in operational decisions or procurement processes related to either the restaurant or Tirana DC, stating he was unaware of the events held there or the procedures followed.^[7]