If the draft law on the new administrative-territorial reform secures the 84 votes required at Thursday’s plenary session, the number of municipalities in Albania will fall from 61 to 46. The document approved by the Law Commission proposes merging 15 existing municipalities into larger units, while the territorial division of the counties will remain unchanged.
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The new plan also provides for a reorganization of urban centers. According to the proposed map, the country will have 71 cities and 387 administrative units. During discussions in the Law Commission, six areas were included on the list of centers that will receive city status.
The 15 municipalities that will be merged are Fushë-Arrëz, which will join Pukë Municipality; Klos, which will be incorporated into Mat Municipality; Rrogozhinë, which will merge with Kavajë Municipality; Dimal and Poliçan, which will become part of Berat Municipality; Patos, which will be incorporated into Fier Municipality; and Divjakë, which will merge with Lushnjë Municipality.
The same list also includes Selenicë, which will join Vlorë Municipality; Maliq, which will be incorporated into Korçë Municipality; Këlcyrë, which will merge with Përmet Municipality; Memaliaj, which will be incorporated into Tepelenë Municipality; Libohovë, which will join Gjirokastër Municipality; Cërrik and Belsh, which will be incorporated into Elbasan Municipality; and Përrenjas, which will merge with Librazhd Municipality.
Changes are also planned in the classification of some urban areas. If the reform is approved, Kastrat in Malësi e Madhe Municipality, Bushat in Vau i Dejës Municipality, Ulëz in Mat Municipality, Krastë in Bulqizë Municipality, Milot in Kurbin Municipality and Golem in Kavajë Municipality will receive city status.
After the reorganization, Kurbin Municipality will include the cities of Laç, Mamurras and Milot. Meanwhile, in Kavajë Municipality, following the merger with Rrogozhinë, the cities of Kavajë, Rrogozhinë and Golem will be included.
The municipality will continue to be the main unit of local self-government. The proposed structure provides for 46 municipalities, 71 cities and 387 administrative units, while the counties will undergo no changes.
The draft law has already been approved by the Law Commission and is expected to be put to a vote at the plenary session on October 8. Its approval requires 84 votes.
