Ermelinda Meksi raises concerns over institutional accountability: Who solves citizens’ problems?

Former Socialist Party minister Ermelinda Meksi has criticized the way institutions and the government are addressing problems that affect citizens’ daily lives.

In a social media post, Meksi questioned the “BESA,” “Prania Besnike,” “PasqyrAlbania” and “Radar” initiatives, asking who is responsible for providing concrete solutions to citizens’ concerns.

She listed concerns related to the safety and management of apartment buildings, the operation of elevators, sewage systems and the development of urban infrastructure.

According to her, citizens should not have to depend on politicians’ intervention in matters that fall under the responsibility of public institutions. Meksi stressed that sustainable solutions that comply with the law can be guaranteed only through the responsible institutions.

The former minister called for local government to be given greater powers and responsibilities so that decision-making and services are brought closer to the community.

Reaction by former Socialist Party minister Ermelinda Meksi

“BESA,” “Prania Besnike,” “PasqyrAlbania,” “Radar” — but which institutions will solve people’s problems?

Citizens are right to be concerned about safety in hotels, on the streets and in public spaces. But another important question remains: How safe do we feel in the apartment buildings where we live?

One example is elevators, some of which have reportedly not passed technical inspection. Residents pay for their maintenance, but who verifies whether the service is provided by licensed individuals, what work is actually carried out and who is responsible for enforcing the law on residential building management? In cases where residents, for various reasons, have not selected an administrator, should the municipality not take measures to ensure the management and protection of shared spaces?

Another problem is sewage manholes, which in some cases have not been cleaned for years. A single rainfall is enough for the area to flood and fill with a foul smell. A few days ago, in one such case, the person in charge of the area told residents: “Do not throw paper into the toilet.” One resident humorously replied that people once even threw newspapers into it, but the manholes were cleaned regularly and flooding did not occur. Behind this joke lies a serious issue: Who should be responsible for maintenance and for preventing a situation that has been recurring for years?

Likewise, what happens when a tower is suddenly built opposite an apartment building, altering the residential environment and placing an additional burden on infrastructure that was not designed for such density?

When they bought their apartments, residents also considered the distance from other buildings, the space, lighting and tranquility. Who bears responsibility when these conditions change without a proper assessment of infrastructure capacity and residents’ interests?

It is precisely for this reason that the question arises as to what solutions “BESA,” “Prania Besnike,” “PasqyrAlbania” and “Radar” will offer for these problems. Will they help strengthen institutions and accountability, or will they become new political catchphrases repeated by MPs while citizens continue to seek individual intervention to secure a right that the state should guarantee them?

The skepticism becomes even more understandable when some of these initiatives are also accompanied by the opening of dedicated offices.

A citizen should not be treated as a “case” for a politician to follow up on, but as a person with rights. The obligation to guarantee these rights, in accordance with the law and the public interest, belongs to the institutions.

A politician’s intervention may ensure that a concern is heard, but only the responsible institution can provide a solution.

More than “Prania Besnike,” citizens need institutional accountability.

P.S. A large share of citizens’ everyday problems is directly related to local government. For this reason, greater powers and responsibilities should be demanded, along with a genuine role for local councilors, who are the representatives closest to the community. The solution does not lie in sending every problem to the government and the prime minister, but in bringing decision-making and accountability closer to citizens.

E. Meksi, September 4, 2026