Territorial reform in Elbasan pits majority against opposition, merger with Cërrik and Belsh discussed

The public hearing on administrative and territorial reorganization in Elbasan took place amid political debate, with the main focus being the proposal to merge Elbasan Municipality with Cërrik Municipality and Belsh Municipality.

Elbasan Mayor Gledian Llatja supported the proposal to expand the central municipality.

According to him, a larger territorial area would create better opportunities for coordinating and integrating services, administration and planning processes.

Opposition representatives voiced reservations about the way the consultation is being conducted. Democratic Party MP Blendi Himçi questioned whether residents had been genuinely informed and involved, or whether the hearings were being held merely to fulfill a formal procedure.

Former Elbasan mayor Ardian Turku also called for every decision to be made following careful consideration. He asked whether the 2014 territorial reform, its results and the problems that emerged during its implementation had been fully analyzed.

Turku stressed that a new reform should be based on data, analysis and concrete arguments, so that the discussion would not be limited solely to political clashes.

Opposition councilor Ergys Muzhaqi also criticized the consultation process, calling for greater transparency and broader citizen participation.

Nevertheless, most participants in the hearing held in Elbasan expressed support for the proposal to expand the central municipality.

Consultations will continue as part of the national process to review the territorial map. In Elbasan, the discussion is expected to focus on the impact that a merger with Cërrik and Belsh could have on public services, administration and community representation.