Despite reservations expressed by several Socialist MPs, the leadership of the PS parliamentary group is trying to keep the vote on the territorial reform under control. Taulant Balla said that, according to the group’s political decision, the draft law will go to plenary session as soon as the review in the Laws Committee is completed.
A disciplinary message after the votes against
After the meeting of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, Balla presented the majority’s position as a political decision that should guide the next phase in parliament. According to him, MPs may have opinions and reservations during the discussions, but in the end the group’s joint decision-making remains in force.
Braçe and Sinaj at the center of the debate
In his statements, Balla also referred to two names who have expressed critical positions, Erion Braçe and Vullnet Sinaj. He denied that there had been pressure or threats against them because of the position they took on the draft law.
According to the version he gave, MPs have the right to raise concerns, but this does not exempt them from the political obligation to be present in decision-making that is treated as important for the parliamentary group.
He does not guarantee a yes vote from everyone
In wording that leaves room for individual movement, Balla clarified that he had not said that the PS decision was for all MPs to vote in favor. However, he stressed that the political decision is for the process to move forward and for parliament’s calendar to be respected.
This means the majority is seeking to preserve the official procedural line, even though there do not appear to be any shortage of objections within the group over the substance or the way the reform is being pushed forward.
The majority links the reform to the political agenda
Balla also linked this moment to developments that, according to him, carry political weight for Albania in relation to the European Union. He mentioned the upcoming intergovernmental conference and the need, in his view, to move forward during a period that the majority considers important.
This political argument is being used by the majority’s leaders to seek alignment from MPs, at a time when critical voices within the PS are showing that not every decision passes without resistance, even when it comes packaged as an institutional priority.
The debate over the territorial reform therefore remains not only a matter of parliamentary procedure, but also a test of internal discipline within the majority.
Beyond the calming statements, the fact that two PS MPs have openly come out with reservations shows that the political decision is not passing without political cost within the group.