Territorial reform: what was discussed at the Laws Committee’s afternoon session — Sako and Qosja with different proposals

Different debates and proposals were discussed yesterday afternoon at the Laws Committee in the framework of the administrative-territorial reform, where local government representatives presented their stances on the future organization of local units.

Durrës mayor Emiriana Sako, in her capacity as representative of the Association of Municipalities and Local Elected Officials, presented the association’s proposals, approved by the Assembly and submitted to the two reform co-chairs in June.

At the center of the proposals are decentralization, increased municipal competences, financing of transferred functions and a fairer distribution of investments across the entire territory.

Sako stressed that the transfer of any new responsibility to local government must be accompanied by clearly defined competences, funding and human capacities.

“During the meetings we have had with mayors, we have emphasized functions and finances as very important issues for citizens’ end service, because they do not care who provides the service — what matters is that quality service reaches even the citizen living very far away,” Sako said.

She also asked that the law define how functions and competences can be transferred to or returned to local government.

“We propose legally banning the removal of functions and competences of the local government unit for matters extending across the territory by the central government. A clear methodology for decentralizing a function must be defined. Centralized competences should be reviewed and returned to the municipality,” the Durrës mayor said.

According to Sako, changes in competences must also be accompanied by appropriate resources.

“Every new function transferred to municipalities must be accompanied by clear competences, funding, standards and human capacities. National and local standards in harmony with the EU for public services must be approved, guaranteeing quality and equal access to services in urban and rural areas,” she said.

Sako went on to ask for more competences for administrative units and a mechanism that would guarantee a more balanced distribution of investments.

“Administrative units should have more competences and offer more services. Investments should be distributed proportionally. Establishing a regulator for the distribution of investments would make it possible to cover the entire territory with investments,” Sako stated.

At the same meeting, Kavajë mayor Fisnik Qosja brought a different approach to the territorial map, supporting the opposition’s proposal for 100 municipalities and 12 counties.

Qosja argued that expanding municipalities’ territory has not automatically improved services and asked that the 2014 reform be evaluated before a new map is approved.

“The A of everything is territorial division and closeness to the citizen. On competences I agree, but closeness to the citizen is more important. As representative of the Association of Municipalities and Local Elected Officials representing opposition municipalities, I want to make clear that we stand for 100 municipalities and 12 counties,” Qosja said.

The Kavajë mayor linked the proposal to the experience of the 2014 reform, asking that its effects be analyzed before a new decision on territorial division is made.

“This is the basis for local government closer to citizens. The 2014 experience showed that municipalities became bigger, but not the service. We demand a public evaluation of the past reform before the final decision is made,” he said.

Qosja also proposed a differentiated territorial model, where the number of local units is determined based on community needs.

“We propose a differentiated territorial model, where the number is determined based on need. We must increase the number of municipalities and every competence must be accompanied by funding. We demand real representation of citizens. Affected communities must be heard before borders are changed,” Qosja said.