Berisha: DP Will Propose Territorial Reform Aimed at Repopulating Albania

The Democratic Party will pursue a new territorial reform aimed at promoting the development of rural areas, bringing services closer to citizens and helping to repopulate the country, DP Chairman Sali Berisha said.

During a press conference at Democratic Party headquarters, Berisha criticized the way the 2014 territorial reform was implemented. He claimed that the changes not only failed to reduce local government spending but also led to an increase in staff and a greater financial burden on taxpayers.

According to figures he presented, around 19,000 people worked in the 410 local government units before 2014. After these units were reduced to 61 municipalities, the number of employees reached around 41,000.

“Not only was the burden on taxpayers not reduced, it doubled because political operatives were hired,” Berisha said.

The Democratic Party chairman said the DP intends to work with both other opposition forces and the international community to draft a territorial reform proposal that, in his view, would best serve citizens’ interests.

“We will insist that this reform be aimed at repopulating Albania, bringing services as close as possible to citizens and creating real opportunities for the development of rural Albania,” he said.

Another issue addressed by Berisha was electoral reform. He announced that the opposition is continuing preparations to draft a new electoral code.

Berisha said he was convinced that Prime Minister Edi Rama would not approve changes that undermine his power. Nevertheless, he stressed that the opposition would present citizens with a proposal that, in his view, meets the highest international standards.