Specifically, Fushë-Arrëzi joins Puka, Klosi with Mati, Rrogozhina with Kavaja, Dimali and Poliçani with Berat, Patosi with Fier, Divjaka with Lushnja, Selenica with Vlora, Maliqi with Korça, Këlcyra with Përmet, Memaliaj with Tepelena, Libohova with Gjirokastra, Cërriku and Belshi with Elbasan, while Prrenjasi passes under the jurisdiction of the Librazhd municipality.
The draft law is a proposal of the Socialist Party parliamentary group, submitted to the Assembly by the co-chair of the Special Committee for Administrative-Territorial Reform, Arbjan Mazniku. In a letter accompanying the draft law, Mazniku requests that the new map be sent for consultation to all municipalities in the country to obtain their positions.
In this letter, Mazniku argues that the reform does not constitute a return to the territorial division of 2014, but “the second phase of the same reform process.” According to him, demographic changes, disparities in the economic development of municipalities, and demands stemming from the European integration process require municipalities with greater administrative, financial, and technical capacities.
The proposed model aims to maintain the municipality as the center of local organization, but changes its internal organization from the “Municipality–Administrative Unit” scheme to “Municipality–City–Administrative Unit”.
Read also:
Wave of protests against the merger of municipalities/ After Poliçan and Maliq, citizens of Dimali call for protest
After Poliçan, Maliqi also against the new territorial map, citizens call for protest on Sunday
Each city is expected to appoint a vice mayor responsible for coordinating services, while municipal councils will be reorganized to reflect the demographic weight of the constituent cities.
The scenario of merging municipalities was preceded by an analytical document drafted by SP experts and presented by Mazniku as the work of the bipartisan Commission, which was opposed by the opposition.
The analysis is based on a methodology with five indicators: the functionality of municipalities, economic performance, urban and demographic mass, distance from the nearest administrative center, and social and cultural cohesion.
The report finds that the problem is not only related to the number of municipalities, but to the great inequality between them.
Tirana concentrates about a quarter of the country’s population and nearly 40 percent of local income, while 47 municipalities each generate less than one percent of income. Nearly half of municipalities result in below-average levels of functionality, while many small units spend the vast majority of their budget on administration and salaries, leaving little room for investment and development.
According to the report, the new map should be approved by 2026, in order to enter into force for the 2027 local elections and prepare local governments for the absorption of European Union funds.
Municipalities that are merging:
Field-Arrëz
Spool
Mat
Bad
Policeman
Ducks
DIVJAKA
SELENICE
Maliq
Këlcyra
Memaliaj
Libohovo
cerrik
Belsh
Prrenjas/ Reporter.al