Belsh Municipal Council opposes merger with Elbasan: PS abstains, PD votes against

The Belsh Municipal Council has opposed the merger of Belsh Municipality with Elbasan Municipality, stating that Belsh should continue to function as a separate self-governing unit.

At the meeting held on the issue, the 7 Democratic Party councillors voted against the merger, while the 10 Socialist Party councillors abstained.

During the discussions, councillors from both political forces presented their arguments regarding Belsh’s administrative future. Their positions focused on the area’s tourism potential, as well as the need for the municipality to continue managing its affairs independently.

According to the councillors, such a reform would have a direct impact on residents and, before a decision was made, a detailed study should have been conducted on the consequences the merger would have for the life of the community.

Representatives of civil society in Belsh also attended the meeting. They presented their arguments regarding administrative criteria, the population and the factors that, in their view, support Belsh’s continued existence as a separate self-governing unit.

The meeting was not without debate among the councillors. One of the points that sparked discussion was the position of the Socialist councillors, who chose to abstain in the vote, while the Democratic councillors voted against the merger.