DP parliamentary group files territorial division bill: 100 municipalities and 12 counties

The Democratic Party’s parliamentary group officially filed on Friday the draft law on the administrative-territorial division of local government units in Albania. The DP parliamentary group has proposed that the country have 100 municipalities and 12 counties.

The DP parliamentary group’s version is explained in a reasoned 168-page report analysing all legal criteria for the administrative-territorial division.

The Democratic Party’s parliamentary group does not see the Administrative-Territorial Reform as a battle over the number of municipalities.

“The fundamental issue is the model of local power that Albania wants to build. We are not proposing more municipalities to create more posts. We propose functional municipalities where they are needed, to create: more proximity, more democracy, more accountability, more services, more autonomy and more development.

“We are not proposing the 12 Counties to create a level of bureaucracy. We propose structures that create: development, coordination, investment and new opportunities for the territory. Above all, we are not proposing a map that serves the administration of power. We propose a map that serves the citizen, the community and the development of the territory.

“On the basis of the experts’ technical analysis, the assessment of the experience of the 2014 Administrative-Territorial Reform, consultation with citizens, and the need for a new model of local governance, the Democratic Party’s parliamentary group proposes: 100 MUNICIPALITIES + 12 COUNTIES supported by: Real Decentralisation; Financial Autonomy; Clear Competences; Accountability; Local Democracy; and Balanced Territorial Development,” the draft law states.