Tensions in Maliq Municipal Council, elderly man speaks out: I was outraged because those who opposed the merger walked out!

The elderly man Reiz Petritaj, who approached the head of the Municipal Council in Maliq with his cane, said he was outraged by the conduct of the Socialist council members, who walked out even though they had previously spoken out against the municipality’s dissolution.

The elderly man said he had attended the meeting held in Lozhan, where, according to him, those present had spoken out against merging with Korçë.

“I became outraged because I am from the village of Selcë. Most of the people have left the country. They have the opportunity to live here and want to live here. I have one granddaughter; I have no children because I never married—that was the situation. The problem here now is immeasurable corruption. But because of the outrage I felt today, I learned that a meeting was going to be held there in Lozhan and I went. They came to Lozhan, and everyone in Lozhan agreed that the Municipality of Maliq should not be dissolved.

“It was the same in Libonik, everywhere. Now, I don’t know what these games are about. When I went there and became outraged, I went to listen, then I also came to the council to see what was happening. We had spoken everywhere so that the Municipality of Maliq would not be dissolved. The council members who had spoken there against the municipality being dissolved here walked out. And, to be honest, I went to extremes for a man of my age. I pushed them like this,” the elderly man said.

He stressed that the Municipality of Maliq would not be shut down, adding that he wanted to join the protesters in Tirana but could not because of his age.

“The problem now is that Maliq must not be dissolved. I am sending a message to the Speaker of Parliament, who has done a great deal with the Municipality of Maliq, about the corruption they have committed involving the water resources, because they have taken the hydroelectric power plants. I have requested information about everything; I have asked about what they have done. They cannot shut it down. Let them know that.

“I also appeal to the protesters… who have come out there. I am ready to go, but I cannot! I was given the opportunity here… no, I created the opportunity myself, but I am telling them that the Speaker of Parliament will not be able to enjoy the corruption he has committed with the Municipality of Maliq, nor profit from it. He cannot!” the elderly man said.