Luçiano Boçi criticizes Albania's proposed territorial reform

Luçiano Boçi, co-chair of the Administrative-Territorial Reform Commission and Democratic Party deputy, has criticized a new territorial reform bill proposed by the Socialist Party. Boçi argues that the upcoming legislation, expected to be voted on in Parliament, aims to centralize political control over local government power rather than improving administration.

Boçi claims the reform repeats the mistakes of the 2014 reform, which he asserts contributed to the country's depopulation by reducing the number of municipalities and distancing citizens from essential services. He noted that while Tirana has seen slight population growth, other regions have suffered significant losses, driving citizens to migrate abroad due to a lack of services.

According to Boçi, the Democratic Party has engaged in public hearings where approximately 90% of residents and administrators expressed support for maintaining the current number of municipalities or increasing them, rather than further consolidation.