Albanian Parliament approves territorial reform reducing municipalities to 46

territorial reform administrative division Albanian Parliament municipalities political protest

The Albanian Parliament has approved a new administrative-territorial reform with 85 votes in favor, reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. The reform involves merging 15 municipalities into larger, more financially stable units, a move the majority argues will increase capacity for public services and EU integration.

The decision has sparked intense political conflict and public protests. The Democratic Party, led by Sali Berisha, has condemned the reform as a “political revenge” and an “anti-citizen act” that will strip local communities of decision-making power and investment. The opposition has proposed an alternative map featuring 100 municipalities and has begun collecting signatures to trigger a referendum.

Within the ruling Socialist Party, the vote was not entirely unanimous; Deputy Erion Braçe voted against the specific map despite the party's majority stance. Meanwhile, the Lëvizja për Zhvillim Kombëtar (LZHK) called for the project's withdrawal to seek broader political consensus, warning against repeating the controversial 2014 reform.

Entities

Albanian Parliament · Dashamir Shehi · Democratic Party · Democratic Party of Albania · Edi Rama · Erion Braçe · Ina Zhupa · Sali Berisha · Socialist Party · Socialist Party of Albania · Vullnet Sinaj

Claims

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

[● 5 SOURCES] Sali Berisha called for citizens to protest in front of Parliament. telegrafi.com · patriotikmedia.al · fjala.al · rtsh.al
[● 2 SOURCES] LZHK called on the Socialist majority to withdraw the territorial reform project. www.topalbaniaradio.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The territorial reform requires 84 votes for approval in the Assembly. www.dukagjini.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Erion Braçe and Vullnet Sinaj voted against the proposal during the Socialist parliamentary group meeting. ntv.al
[● 2 SOURCES] The Democratic Party proposed an alternative map with 100 municipalities. patriotikmedia.al
[● 10 SOURCES] The reform reduces the number of municipalities from 61 to 46. ntv.al · patriotikmedia.al · www.topalbaniaradio.com · www.dukagjini.com · www.korcaboom.com · +4 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The draft proposal aims to reduce the number of municipalities from 61 to 46 by merging 15 local units. ntv.al · patriotikmedia.al · www.topalbaniaradio.com · www.dukagjini.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Socialist Deputy Erion Braçe and Vullnet Sinaj voted against the proposal during the Socialist parliamentary group meeting. ntv.al · www.dukagjini.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The Lëvizja për Zhvillim Kombëtar (LZHK) called for the withdrawal of the territorial reform project. www.topalbaniaradio.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Albanian Parliament rejected a request to remove the territorial reform from the session agenda. patriotikmedia.al
[● 3 SOURCES] The Democratic Party proposed an alternative map consisting of 100 municipalities. patriotikmedia.al · rtsh.al · abcnews.al
[● 2 SOURCES] Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha called for citizen protests in front of the Parliament. telegrafi.com