Debate in the Laws Committee over the territorial map: DP wants 100 municipalities, SP wants 46

The Laws Committee has begun reviewing the initiative for the country’s new territorial map, with the Socialist Party seeking to move ahead with the 46-municipality option.

At the same time, the Democratic Party has tabled an alternative envisaging 100 municipalities. The opposition wants this initiative too to undergo a round of public consultation, objecting to the procedure followed by the majority.

In the committee, Democratic MP Oerd Bylykbashi accused the majority of taking further what he described as the failure of the 2014 territorial reform.

“From bad, you are making it even worse. We have proposed moving to 100 municipalities. The 2014 reform has brought social and institutional erosion. People have left. Your public consultations with the community are fake. You are doing as the prime minister wants. Municipalities must be able to govern the country day-to-day for citizens, even if for one year without a government. You have not consulted the communities,” Bylykbashi declared.

He demanded that the two initiatives be handled under the same procedure and that the opposition’s proposal also go through public consultation.

“Your initiative and our initiative must be merged. The public consultation procedure you did for your draft must also be done for our initiative. You killed consensus because you wanted to push through your map with 46 municipalities. Merge your legislative initiative, merge the two initiatives and follow the same procedure,” the Democratic MP said.

From the majority, Laws Committee chair Ulsi Manja said the procedure would continue on the bill tabled by the Socialist Party.

“Bring your initiative; when we have it on the table we will talk. This committee will continue reviewing the bill brought by the Socialist Party,” Manja said.

There was also debate from Democratic MP Saimir Korreshi, who mocked the manner and speed with which the reform is being handled.

“What kind of burek is this, one of those frozen ones you put in the oven and it’s out in 4 minutes? This can’t be done in a day. Even if Diella had come with AI, it wouldn’t have been done. We can’t tell this to Albanians. This is our other option too. Good or bad, let’s look at it. The other option must be heard,” Korreshi declared.

He also raised concern about the consequences the administrative map change could have for citizens, especially in areas where distances to municipal centers are large.

“We are completely done for. The ceilings are falling on local units. Citizens will have to take the bus dang dang for 2 hours to get to the municipality to stand in line, let alone get anything resolved. I’ll bet my neck the mayor never sets foot in the territory. Will that mayor deal with the fence?” Korreshi said.

The majority meanwhile insists it will continue with the procedure for its 46-municipality option, while the opposition wants another consultation process on the 100-municipality alternative before approval.