Prime Minister Edi Rama’s meeting in Berat, called over the issue of Territorial Reform, did not unfold as a calm hearing. According to publicly released information, the meeting turned into a verbal clash between Rama and representatives who had come from Poliçan, once again highlighting the tensions surrounding discussions on territorial division and the relationship between central government and local communities.
The meeting began at Hotel Colombo
The meeting was held inside Hotel Colombo in Berat. According to the version made public, the discussion on Territorial Reform began with remarks by the Minister of Local Government, Ervin Demo.
From this stage, the focus of the meeting was territorial reorganization, a topic that for years has sparked opposition and mistrust at the local level, especially when it directly affects the representation and weight of smaller municipalities.
Poliçan residents intervene, situation escalates
After the minister’s remarks, residents who had come from Poliçan stood up to speak. Their delegation also included actress Egla Ceno.
Then, according to the reported information, there was irritation from residents and from Poliçan Mayor Adriatik Zotkaj. The situation deteriorated into verbal debate between Prime Minister Rama, Zotkaj and Ceno.
Clash ends with boycott of the meeting
The tension in the hall led to a politically significant development: the entire delegation from Poliçan boycotted the meeting and left.
This departure places the discussion on territorial reform before a familiar problem in such processes: how genuine consultations with communities are when they end in clashes and the affected parties walking away from the table.
Territorial reform once again amid local opposition
The event in Berat shows that territorial reform continues to provoke strong reactions on the ground, especially when residents and local representatives feel sidelined or confronted with what they see as a predetermined decision.
So far, there are no further public details about the substance of the debate in the hall, but the episode itself is enough to show the tense climate surrounding this consultation.
The meeting in Berat, intended as a discussion on an issue with direct impact on communities, ended in open clashes and a boycott by a local delegation. This makes even more visible the distance between the center and the voices seeking to be heard on the ground.