Albania territorial reform: Socialist Party moves to reduce municipalities to 46

territorial reform Albania municipalities Arbjan Mazniku Socialist Party administrative division

The Albanian Socialist Party is moving forward with a territorial reform proposal to reduce the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. The draft law has passed through the Law Commission and is scheduled for a plenary vote in Parliament this Thursday.

Arbjan Mazniku, head of the Special Commission for Territorial Reform, defended the measure, stating that many small municipalities lack the financial and human resources to function effectively. He cited Libohova, which generates only 72,000 euros in annual revenue, as an example of a municipality unable to provide necessary services. Mazniku argued that the reform aims to ensure municipalities have the mechanisms to provide better services and intends for the changes to be implemented by the 2027 elections.

The proposal has faced significant opposition. During commission debates, Socialist deputy Zegjine Çaushi accused opposition members of boycotting the commission's work for four months. Meanwhile, local leaders have raised concerns; Josif Gorrea, the Mayor of Divjaka, warned that the reform could lead to the loss of essential services, such as urban planning, which might be transferred to larger centers like Lushnja.

Entities

Albania · Albanian Parliament · Arbjan Mazniku · Democratic Party of Albania · Edi Rama · Erion Braçe · Erion Veliaj · Ermal Pashaj · Libohova · Mirjan Aliaj · Parliament of Albania · Sali Berisha

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The Democratic Party opposes the reform and has proposed a plan to increase the number of municipalities to 100. faxweb.al · www.topalbaniaradio.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Law Commission approved the draft law for the territorial reform. www.vizionplus.tv
[○ 1 SOURCE] Protests against the government have reached 128 days. rdnews.al
[● 2 SOURCES] Sara Mila raised concerns regarding the Egnatia Road project and property expropriations. zhurnal.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] The reform aims to be implemented by the 2027 elections. argjiroja.net · tirananews.al
[● 2 SOURCES] The Socialist Party majority proposes reducing the number of municipalities in Albania from 61 to 46. www.topalbaniaradio.com · www.vizionplus.tv
[DISPUTED] Erion Braçe voted against the territorial reform. kohajone.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The reform is scheduled for a plenary vote on October 8. www.topalbaniaradio.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Mayor of Divjaka expressed concern that services such as urban planning would be moved to Lushnja. javanews.al
[● 2 SOURCES] The territorial reform is scheduled for a plenary vote in Parliament this Thursday. tirananews.al · abcnews.al
[○ 1 SOURCE] The municipality of Libohova generates only 72,000 euros in annual revenue. argjiroja.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] The opposition has boycotted the Law Commission for four months. fjala.al