TRADITIONS, CULINARY/ The Chairman of the Socialist Party presents the new document: 10 Delicious Recipes with Flamingo Meat

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

The "border" of the new Albania

2026-08-04 19:26:21Pikëpamje SHKRUAR NGA DITMIR BUSHATI
Photo illustration

In Albania, it has become a habit to package every measure as a reform, and even to say that it is 'a request from the EU'. Even the proposal for a new territorial and administrative division did not escape the tricks of the old politics, where the number of municipalities is taking the spotlight, ignoring the essence of the problem.

There is no EU requirement related to the size or number of municipalities in Albania, as this is an internal matter. The EU requires Albania to strengthen local democracy, capacities and financial resources, as local units are the guarantors of European standards in everyday life, through the provision of services.

A true reform must open a debate on the fundamental issues of local government, which are issues of democracy and citizen participation in decision-making.

After the territorial division of 2015, municipalities became larger, but their powers were reduced. The center-periphery relationship was ignored. This also led to the abandonment of certain areas of the country. The relationship of municipalities with the community faded. Tirana and the municipalities on the coastline show how the most precious assets are handed over from above to a handful of people, while citizens are 'informed' when fences are erected and concrete mixers arrive.

Urban planning, the administration of water supply and sewage, waste, beaches, protected areas and other functions are exercised mainly from above. Mayors and municipal councils are treated as an extension of the government and not as elected representatives of the people. The challenge is not the number of municipalities, but the transfer of power from the prime minister's office to local elected representatives.

Public spending administered by local governments in Albania, as a percentage of total public finances, remains significantly lower than the average of EU countries. Without financial resources and without competencies, the effectiveness of a municipality cannot be judged. Before changing administrative boundaries, the local government financing model should be reviewed.

Albania needs a local and regional development policy. The majority of the population and economic activity is concentrated in and around Tirana. Other areas, at best, benefit from seasonal tourism, but fail to create sustainable economies and public services that give citizens the opportunity to build a life in their area.

Every reform is based on certain criteria. What criteria were used to merge some municipalities, while others with similar characteristics remained unchanged? A reform with such a great impact on the people must be state-consolidating and with broad political and social understanding.

Before another reorganization is undertaken, it must be clearly demonstrated that the long-term benefits outweigh the costs and that existing problems cannot be solved through reforming competencies, financing, and institutional organization without changing administrative boundaries.

The municipality is not just an administrative unit. It represents historical, cultural and social identity. If communities are not really consulted but only formally, as the reactions and protests in some areas of the country show, citizens will feel overlooked and will perceive the reform as imposed from above.

The way in which the territorial division will be handled will also determine the "border" of the new Albania. As it will show whether politics has learned lessons from the protests of recent months, which have to do with who and how decisions are made on behalf of the people.

One of the first decisions of the newly elected British Prime Minister was to transfer power from the government to the municipalities. Is this a lesson for us Albanians? Is the practice of the Labour Party a guide for the Albanian socialists as well?

Albania resembles an administrative unit where power is concentrated in the office of the prime minister. Any new policy should be the opposite of the concentration of power. It should target communities. Albanians should be heard about how they see the future where they live and decide on it. A referendum should be considered for changes with such impact.

Local democracy must be an important pillar of the new Albania. Albania needs a real reform that transfers power from the top down, from the center to the periphery, to build a policy of local and regional development. Only in this way will Albanians feel understood, seen, and respected throughout Albania.


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×