Speaking to citizens gathered in protest, Zylyftari said that he can no longer represent socialist voters in the face of a decision that, according to him, conflicts with the interests of the residents of Poliçan.

He stated that the Socialist Party, which citizens have voted for over the years, has proposed the merger of the municipality, while demanding that Poliçan continue to remain a separate municipality.

“With what we heard today, I cannot stand up to all these voters who have voted for the Socialist Party for years. But this party that we have voted for together has proposed to dissolve us as a municipality. As the chairman of the SP in Poliçan, I call on my party that the Municipality of Poliçan must remain,” said Zylyftari.

At the end of his speech, he announced his resignation from the leadership position in the PS of Poliçan, declaring: “I am with the people and not with the party.”

Zylyftari’s resignation came at a time when residents of Poliçan have launched protests against the proposal to merge this municipality with the Municipality of Berat, part of the Administrative-Territorial Reform 2.0.