The new map proposed by the Socialist Party, which envisages reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 46, is officially on the table of mayors and municipal councils to be affected.
The document sent asks them to present their reasoned opinion regarding the proposal that envisages the merger of their municipalities and their union with other municipalities.
They must argue their positions against or alternative opinions. As the law provides, for this, the mayors and municipal councils have 60 days to respond. This process must be carried out in hearings and consultation with the citizens of these municipalities.
Finally, each municipality must submit a document of its own to the Assembly, to analyze their objections, before the map resumes discussion and voting in Parliament. The SP proposal foresees a new organizational scheme, no longer municipality-administrative unit but municipality-city-administrative unit.
This is a solution, according to the socialists, to make it possible to preserve the identity of each urban area of the country, but also to provide services in municipal areas, as they currently function.
According to the SP proposal, 3 regions are not affected, those of Kukës, Durrës and Lezha. Tirana is the only one that is territorially affected, with the addition of Rinas, under the administration of the capital and not the Municipality of Krujë. As a region, the merger of Rrogozhina with the Municipality of Kavajë is proposed.
The regions of Elbasan and Gjirokastra are the two regions where the largest changes in numbers are foreseen, merging 3 municipalities. Maxhoranca argues that changing the current map is necessary, with the reasoning that stronger municipalities are better prepared for the moment of the country’s membership in the EU. This map is expected to be approved, after consultations, in early October.