Does Rinas Belong to Tirana Too? Lutfi Dervishi Mocks the Socialist Party’s Territorial Reform: Krujë Residents Get the Noise and Pollution, the Capital Gets the Money

In a social media post, well-known analyst Lutfi Dervishi responded ironically to the changes proposed by the Socialist Party as part of the Territorial Reform, which envisages merging several municipalities and transferring their administration to larger neighboring municipalities.

Dervishi questioned the inclusion of Rinas Airport within the territory of Tirana Municipality, comparing it with practices followed in other European countries.

“Brussels Airport is in the municipality of Zaventem. Belgrade Airport is in the municipality of Surčin. Rome Airport is in the municipality of Fiumicino. This is no coincidence, because wherever an airport is located, the local community also benefits from having it within its territory,” the analyst said.

He raised concerns that Krujë Municipality, which currently administers the Rinas unit, could lose the economic benefits and be left only with the noise, pollution and risk.

“At the very least, the community should retain the airport located within its territory. Or is the logic different: residents get the noise, pollution and risk, while the revenue generated by the airport flies elsewhere? Ultimately, the essence of territorial reform is that the community should benefit from the wealth and assets located within its territory, rather than merely bear their costs,” Dervishi wrote.