Member of Parliament for Shkodër Marjana Koçeku has officially announced she is leaving the Socialist Party parliamentary group and will continue her mandate as an independent MP.

According to reports from A2 CNN, the decision follows a series of recent internal developments within the Socialist parliamentary group, including Koçeku’s absence during a vote on a gender equality bill, when she reportedly left the parliamentary chamber during the session.

Sources also indicate that Koçeku had faced criticism in closed-door meetings of the Socialist parliamentary group, including from Prime Minister Edi Rama, over issues such as demolition policies in Theth.

In her public positions, Koçeku has previously raised environmental concerns, particularly regarding river pollution, both in local meetings in Shkodër and in parliamentary discussions, where she at times aligned with opposition lawmakers, including Kliti Hoti.

She has also expressed support for Rector Gjuraj and taken stances that reportedly sparked internal debate within the Socialist ranks.

Separately, her remarks during a Socialist Party 35th anniversary event in Shkodër—where she referred to a “pink flamingo shirt” in a comment directed at Prime Minister Rama—have been interpreted by some attendees as ironic, further fueling internal discussions within the party.