Bardhi Opposes Socialist Party Proposal on Territorial Map: Abolishing 15 Municipalities Will Bring Depopulation, Centralization and Impoverishment for Electoral Interests

Gazment Bardhi, head of the Democratic Party Parliamentary Group, reacted to the Socialist Party’s decision to oppose extending the mandate of the Special Commission on Administrative-Territorial Reform. He accused the governing majority of seeking to further centralize power through new changes to the country’s administrative divisions.

Bardhi said publicly that, since the beginning of the process, the Socialist Party’s aim has not been to improve the quality of local government or services for citizens. According to him, the majority has been driven by an interest in securing electoral advantages and further centralizing power.

He said the refusal to continue the work through consensus demonstrates an unwillingness to consider the views of affected communities, local leaders and representatives, civil society, as well as Albanian and international experts.

In his response, the head of the Democratic Party Parliamentary Group also rejected the initiative to abolish 15 municipalities. According to Bardhi, such a measure cannot be called administrative reform because it weakens local government, moves services farther away from citizens and accelerates the country’s depopulation.

As he stated, the Democratic Party firmly opposes the abolition of the municipalities of Rrogozhinë, Divjakë, Patos, Fushë-Arrëz, Memaliaj, Prrenjas, Belsh, Cërrik, Dimal, Poliçan, Klos, Libohovë, Këlcyrë, Maliq and Selenicë.

STATEMENT BY THE HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP, GAZMENT BARDHI

According to Bardhi, the Socialist Party’s vote against extending the mandate of the Special Commission on Administrative-Territorial Reform once again proved that the majority has never sought a transparent, inclusive process focused on citizens’ interests. He said that, from the outset, the goal has been to secure electoral gains and increase centralization instead of strengthening local government and services.

According to him, the refusal to continue the process on the basis of consensus showed that there is no willingness to listen to the affected communities, local authorities, civil society, or Albanian and international experts. Bardhi stressed that a reform with a direct impact on citizens’ lives cannot be carried out through unilateral decision-making and without broad public consultation.

He emphasized that every community must express its opinion before Parliament makes a decision that affects it. According to Bardhi, consultation is not only a democratic norm but also a constitutional requirement.

As he recalled, the Constitution stipulates that the boundaries of local government units cannot be changed without first seeking the views of their residents. Such changes must also be based on shared economic, social and cultural interests, as well as the historical tradition of each area.

Bardhi stated that the country needs a reform that empowers local government, brings services closer to citizens and creates concrete development opportunities for all communities. According to him, Albania does not need a model that shifts power toward the center, undermines local autonomy and uses municipalities as tools for short-term political interests.

He called for any administrative-territorial reform to be based on dialogue, consensus and the public interest. According to Bardhi, the process should produce a long-term and sustainable solution in line with European standards, rather than a political project dictated by short-term electoral calculations.

In conclusion, Bardhi said the Democratic Party would continue to defend citizens’ right to be heard and to have local government that works in their service, rather than in the political interests of the governing majority.