The Committee on Legal Affairs and Public Administration will receive political attention today. This is because this Monday's agenda includes the discussion and approval in principle, the review and approval article by article and in its entirety of the draft law "On the administrative-territorial division of local government units in the Republic of Albania".
Based on the calendar of parliamentary committee meetings, published by the Assembly, the session will take place at 11:00. Given this, dozens of citizens who are against the merger of existing municipalities, a project proposed by the governing majority, have gathered in front of the Assembly Presidency building in protest against this draft.
THE DEBATE ABOUT TERRITORY
This draft law has been accompanied by a series of debates, objections and political positions, both from the majority and the opposition. The proposed changes have also created clashes in meetings held in municipal councils across the country, which have expressed their acceptance or disagreement by voting.
The draft for the Territorial Reform drafted by the Socialist Party and its experts was deposited today in the Assembly and contains several important changes to the map of the country. According to the draft, 15 municipalities will be merged and their number will increase to 46. Based on the proposal of the SP, the following municipalities will be merged: Fushë-Arrëz, Klos, Rrogozhinë, Dimal, Poliçan, Patos, Divjakë, Selenicë, Maliq, Këlcyrë, Memaliaj, Libohëvë, Cërrik, Belsh and Përrenjas. It is also envisaged that Albania will be divided into 387 administrative units in total.
On the other hand, the Democratic Party has suggested that Albania be organized into six regions, more specifically: Shkodër-Lezhe, Dibër-Kukës, Tirana-Durrës, Elbasan-Korçë, Fier-Berat and Vlorë-Gjirokastër. As for the number of municipalities across the country, the DP proposes 100 municipalities.
