The government is pushing ahead with another territorial reorganization, but not without resistance on the ground. At a meeting with the mayors of municipalities affected by the proposed merger, Edi Rama sought to present the process as a national reform, while in several local units the draft has been met with protests, official objections and local political tensions.
Meeting with municipalities affected by the merger
The prime minister’s meeting with the mayors was presented as an informational session for local units expected to be merged under the new territorial map. The focus was on explaining the reform proposed by the Socialist Party and the steps expected to follow.
According to the version made public by journalist Muhamed Veliu, Rama said this is “a reform for Albania and not a reform for one municipality or another.”
Guarantees on services, while objections remain
The government’s main argument remains that merging municipalities will bring greater capacity, better services and more efficient administration, referring also to the 2014 Administrative-Territorial Reform.
In the cases of Divjaka and Dimal, it was claimed that the merger aims at shared benefits for citizens and that the role of the towns will remain clear in the functioning of the new local unit. A political guarantee was also given that the services currently provided will not be affected.
The draft has sparked protests in several areas
This is precisely the core of the debate on the ground: how real the guarantees are for services and local representation after the dissolution of municipalities. Since the draft was sent by Parliament to all municipalities, citizen protests and objections from municipal councils have been recorded in the units expected to be dissolved.
In Poliçan, the reaction has gone further. Supporters of the Socialist Party have publicly come out against the draft, burned their PS membership cards, while the party’s local leader has resigned.
Consultations announced, but the climate remains tense
According to the government, the reform will move forward with consultations with municipalities, communities and the actors involved, with the goal of a more functional and more efficient local organization.
However, the reactions so far show that the process is not unfolding without political cost. Beyond the official language of efficiency and bringing government closer to citizens, in some municipalities the opposition is being voiced as fear of losing administrative weight, representation and services.
Who was at the meeting
Present at the meeting were mayors from Durrës, Shkodër, Kukës, Elbasan, Korçë, Berat, Vlora, Gjirokastër, Klos, Rrogozhinë, Dimal, Poliçan, Patos, Divjaka, Selenicë, Maliq, Këlcyrë, Cërrik, Belsh and Libohovë.
The debate over the new territorial map is unfolding between the guarantees given by the government and the objections that have openly emerged on the ground.
At this stage, the central question remains whether the consultations will produce real changes to the draft or merely serve to soften a decision-making process already politically oriented.