Albania territorial reform: Parliament to vote on municipality mergers

The Albanian Parliament is set to vote on a new territorial reform map on October 8. The proposed administrative reorganization aims to reduce the number of municipalities from 61 to 46 by merging 15 existing units into larger administrative territories.

Under the current plan, several municipalities—including Fushë-Arrëzi, Klosi, Rrogozhina, Patosi, and Divjaka, among others—would lose their status as independent municipalities and be absorbed into neighboring larger ones. For example, Rrogozhina would join Kavaja, while Cërriku and Belshi would be merged into Elbasan.

The proposal has faced significant opposition. During discussions in the Law Commission, members of the Democratic Party walked out in protest, arguing that the reform lacks public consensus and fails to include local referendums or community input. Opponents claim the process bypasses constitutional requirements for local consultation and ignores the will of the affected residents.