Union with Elbasan, debates at the Cërrik Municipal Council meeting: The area will be depopulated

2026-08-21 18:17:01Politikë SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Union with Elbasan, debates at the Cërrik Municipal Council meeting: The
Cerrik Municipal Council

The new territorial reform has also caused debates at the Cerrik Municipal Council meeting, where councilors from the majority and opposition opposed the proposal to merge Cerrik with the Municipality of Elbasan.

During the discussions, the councilors argued that such a change in administrative division could lead to the removal of services from citizens and contribute to the increased depopulation of the area.

Some councilors also expressed reservations about the way the public consultation process is being conducted. According to them, the community hearings risk remaining a formal procedure, since the Territorial Reform Commission has already advanced with its proposals.

In this context, it was requested that citizens be truly consulted before making a decision, while one of the proposed alternatives was the holding of a referendum.

The Mayor of Cërrik, Florenc Doka, stated that he will not give a final position on the proposal for the merger of the municipality he leads without first concluding the public hearing process with the community.

The meeting was also attended by opposition MPs Blendi Himçi and Klodiana Çapja. MP Himçi addressed Mayor Doka, arguing that, based on the preliminary recommendations of the Territorial Reform Commission, he should have a clear stance on the process.

At the end of the meeting, the Cerrik Municipal Council approved by majority vote the holding of public hearings with the community.

According to the preliminary draft of the territorial reform, the municipalities of Cërrik and Belsh are expected to be included in the Municipality of Elbasan. The proposal has met with opposition from residents, who have expressed their position through protests.


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