15 municipalities risk being merged, the mayors in front of Parliament: Do not vote for it, it does not serve the citizens

The protest held in front of Parliament was also joined by the mayors of the municipalities affected by the territorial reform proposed by the SP, which foresees changes to the administrative map and the merging of 15 municipalities.

The mayors oppose the reform and say it directly affects the communities they represent. According to them, the proposed changes risk taking services away from citizens and harming the identity of the municipalities.

“I am one of those 15 mayors affected by this clientelist reform, which has nothing to do with the EU experts’ map. Today I am with my colleagues and, on behalf of these 15 mayors and the 300,000 residents affected by this reform. This map is not a map that fits the European community, it does not serve the citizen, it takes services away from the citizens and destroys municipalities that have identity and history,” declared the mayor of Fushë-Arrëz, Hilë Curri.

The mayor of Memaliaj, Albert Malaj, also said that citizens have been protesting for two months in their towns and called on the MPs of Parliament not to vote for the reform.

“Citizens have been protesting in their towns for two months and I call on the MPs of Parliament not to vote for this reform, which is contrary to the Constitution and the EU Charter. Do not vote for this reform!” Malaj said.

Meanwhile, the protest in front of Parliament was accompanied by tensions. The protesters clashed with Police forces, while pepper spray was also used during the tensions. As a result, one person was injured.