In a statement, Democratic Party Deputy Chairman Nikola Kedhi reacted to the meeting held in Kuç, Vlora, where Prime Minister Edi Rama gathered Socialist mayors as part of consultations on territorial reform.

Kedhi accused Rama of turning what was presented as a consultation with local elected officials into a meeting marked by tensions, threats and the removal of several mayors.

“Rama’s problem is not territorial reform. The problem is that, after years of pressure, arrogance and absolute control, people have begun to say no to him. Even his own people are saying no. Yesterday, we saw his reaction and his thuggish behavior toward people who are locally elected officials, not employees of the Prime Minister’s Office,” Kedhi said.

Kedhi also said that several municipal councils had voted unanimously against the dissolution of municipalities, arguing that the debate was not only about the territorial map, but also about how the decision was being made.

Statement:

Yesterday, in Kuç, Vlora, Edi Rama gathered the Socialist mayors whose municipalities he has decided to dissolve as part of the electoral map he calls Territorial Reform. He had summoned them for consultations, but the “consultation session” quickly turned into a session of threats and insults. Several mayors were thrown out.

This is Edi Rama’s idea of a public hearing. If he behaves this way toward elected officials, imagine what he does to those he has appointed himself. As for ordinary people, you do not need to strain your imagination, because you have seen and heard how he insults and humiliates them.

This scene, reminiscent of meetings of communist cells, where collaborators were expelled from the meeting and the party and then “decorated” with a bullet, shows Rama in a state of panic.

In Poliçan, Selenicë, Divjakë, Dimal and other communities, citizens are realizing that they are not condemned to accept every decision that comes from Tirana.

They are opposing it. They are protesting. They are speaking out. They are overcoming their fear.

And this is precisely what Rama cannot tolerate. A decade of propaganda, coercion and pressure is crumbling. He realizes that the millions spent on political patronage and election theft are no longer enough.

Citizens, including Socialists, are rejecting the autocracy, arrogance and contempt he displays toward them. Several municipal councils have voted unanimously against the dissolution.

Rama’s problem is not territorial reform. The problem is that, after years of pressure, arrogance and absolute control, people have begun to say no to him. Even his own people are saying no.

Yesterday, we saw his reaction and his thuggish behavior toward people who are locally elected officials, not employees of the Prime Minister’s Office.

But there is another absurdity. After all this, government propaganda tells us that Edi Rama “has begun consultations.”

Consultations about what? About an electoral map he drew up without asking anyone? About municipalities he has publicly declared he will dissolve? About a political decision he has imposed on communities and now expects them to accept?

This is not consultation. Consultation is not carried out to persuade citizens to accept a decision that has already been made. Consultation is carried out so that citizens’ views can influence the decision.

The Constitution of the Republic of Albania stipulates that the boundaries of local government units may not be changed without first seeking the opinion of the population living within them. The European Charter of Local Self-Government requires prior consultation with communities on boundary changes and timely consultation with local authorities on matters that directly affect them.

The Democratic Party has a completely different vision of local government.

We believe in the decentralization of powers and finances, not in the concentration of power. We believe in municipalities and services close to citizens, not giant municipalities far removed from them. We believe in communities that decide for themselves and preserve their identity, not in a prime minister who decides for every community.

Citizens throughout Albania share these principles. That is why the country has risen in protest today.

Albanians are losing their fear and have understood that their voices matter and that another Albania is possible. We stand with citizens and communities in their battle to protect their identity and future.

Yesterday in Kuç, we did not see Edi Rama’s strength. We saw the panic of a scarecrow standing at the head of a field that no longer frightens anyone.

The post Rama’s Meeting with Socialist Mayors, Democratic Party Deputy Chairman: The Prime Minister Is Panicking, Even His Own People Are Saying “No appeared first on Albeu.com.