Patos opposes merger with Fier: “We are history and identity

Patos Municipality held a public hearing with citizens on Wednesday afternoon as part of consultations on the new administrative-territorial reform, which envisages the merger of Patos with Fier Municipality.

The meeting began with remarks by Municipal Council Chairman Armand Ahmetaj, followed by Mayor Fatjon Duro. He presented several arguments in support of preserving Patos as a separate municipality, citing financial viability, the economy, accessibility and territorial cohesion.

The citizens, municipal councillors and representatives of interest groups present at the hearing unanimously expressed their opposition to the merger with Fier. According to them, Patos is defined not merely by a sign, index or distance in kilometres, but represents history and identity.

Mayor Duro and the Municipal Council will continue the public consultation process in the coming days, including in the administrative units.