Balla opposes DP draft on territorial division: We will follow parliamentary procedure

The chairman of the Socialist Party’s Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla, has reacted to the initiative of the Democratic Party, which has submitted a draft law on the administrative-territorial reorganization of Albania.

According to the opposition’s proposal, the country should be divided into 100 municipalities and 12 counties. The document is accompanied by a 168-page report, in which the DP says it has reviewed the legal and technical criteria, as well as communities’ needs for a new form of local government.

Balla described the Democrats’ initiative as an “alternative (retro) draft” and stressed that it must first go through all the steps stipulated by parliamentary procedure.

“After saying that the Special Commission had not completed its work, today the Democratic Party’s Parliamentary Group has apparently come forward with an alternative (retro) proposal for administrative-territorial reform, thanks to the lengthy consultations held as part of the Commission’s work. So, the Commission was worthwhile after all,” Balla wrote.

According to him, the draft should be sent to municipal councils and the government for their opinion, while the process should be given the necessary time.

“As provided for by parliamentary procedure, this draft must be sent to municipal councils and the government for their opinion. It must be given the time it needs,” he continued.

Meanwhile, the head of the Socialist parliamentary group announced that the majority will continue with its own initiative, in line with the deadlines set out in the Parliament’s calendar.

“Meanwhile, we are continuing the parliamentary procedure with our proposal, as set out in the Parliament’s calendar. Immediately afterward, at the latest after the local elections in the spring, the Special Commission will have to be re-established in order to continue the reform of European municipalities at another level,” Balla said.

The DP, for its part, argues that the initiative for 100 municipalities and 12 counties is aimed not only at increasing the number of local government units, but also at transforming the model of local governance.

The opposition says that through this draft it seeks to bring institutions closer to citizens, strengthen local democracy and accountability, and improve services, financial autonomy and balanced territorial development.

According to the DP, the proposed model should be based on genuine decentralization, financial autonomy, a clear delineation of responsibilities, responsibility and accountability, local democracy, and balanced territorial development.