Luçiano Boçi challenges Edi Rama over Albania's territorial reform

Luçiano Boçi, deputy and co‑chair of Albania's Commission for Territorial Reform, publicly rebuked Prime Minister Edi Rama after Rama highlighted internal dissent within the Socialist Party over proposed changes to the country's administrative map. Boçi accused Rama of portraying pluralism as a sign of unrest and alleged violations of constitutional and legal provisions governing the reform process.

Boçi demanded genuine consultation with residents of the affected territories, arguing that the 60‑day period cited by the government does not satisfy the constitutional requirement for prior public opinion (Article 108) and the 2015 law on local self‑government. He warned that limiting consultation to municipal leaders, experts, or social‑media statements undermines the rule of law, calling the government's approach a "panic" and a "politico‑territorial crisis".

The dispute centers on how the new administrative boundaries will be drawn and the extent to which citizens can influence the outcome, with Boçi insisting that any change must be preceded by a real, nationwide public consultation.