We Are Sacrificed for Politics”/ Maliq Residents Oppose Territorial Reform: No Merger with Korça

The Socialist Party’s proposal for a new administrative-territorial reform has also been opposed by residents of Maliq. Under the SP’s proposed draft, Maliq Municipality is expected to be dissolved and incorporated into a larger administrative unit with Korça.

However, residents stress that this change would make it more difficult to access services and increase costs for citizens. They say the distance to Korça would make access to public services more difficult, especially for more remote mountainous areas.

“As a resident of Maliq, I think this is being done for political reasons. For 30 years, politics has not served the interests of citizens. Maliq has not been treated properly; it has been sacrificed for politics,” one resident said.

Another citizen said the merger with Korça would create direct problems for the community. Residents also raised concerns about administrative services, asking why they should have to travel to Korça for matters they can currently resolve in their own municipality.

“Citizens would immediately face a crisis; the distance is too great. This policy is disappointing. Services would be a problem. We have these services here, and you are telling us to go to Korça?” another resident said.

Meanwhile, a former resident of the area said that dissolving the municipality would affect farmers and economic development.

“It will affect farmers. The connection with Korça will become more distant. This is a large and strong municipality; it does not meet any of the criteria for dissolution,” he said.