2 words about Territorial-Administrative Reform

We voted on Thursday to postpone the deadline for the territorial reform, but I am afraid that the main leaders of the Socialist Party will not show the seriousness and responsibility for this very important reform, declaring that this existing territorial and administrative division will remain, etc., etc. ... If this is the case, then why was this Commission set up? We all know that in all countries of the world, Territorial Administrative Reform requires a consensus, substantial, requires understanding of the position and the opposition. In the event that we raise the commissions to pass the queue, they continue the work for six months or more and you in October continue with the same theory, with the same megalomania that you displayed when you implemented the 2014 reform, then you do nothing other than trampling on the rights of Albanian citizens, first and second, indirectly, insult the deputies of all political forces who are members of this commission. The administrative territorial division, which is at the core of the territorial reform, is based on two principles: The first principle is the cultural and traditional identity of the administrative unit, that is, the organic connection of citizens with the territory. The second principle is the economic, financial and human resource capabilities of an administrative unit to carry out its functions in relation to the territory and the inhabitants. We are all aware that despite the good will and the need for reform in 2014, this territorial administrative reform failed, causing serious consequences for the functioning and democratic, economic and social stability of local administrative units, especially the areas of certain, mainly of those local units, which mechanically joined the municipalities. Today, after eight years, we see that the territorial reform of 2014 was simply a unilateral electoral administrative division. With this reform, we took steps backwards, flagrantly violating the constitutional articles of local autonomy and decentralization as well as the European Charter of local autonomy. After eight years, this reform has already shown the four main pillars where it failed: It failed to increase the economic efficiency of the new units; It brought centralization of the power of the mayors by destroying decentralization and strengthening local self-government; It hit the representation of citizens in co-governance, local democracy and accountability; It failed to promote economic-social development and poverty alleviation. Fortunately, in DP, the deputies who are members of the committee headed by Mrs. Dhurata Çupi, but also the other deputies included in a working group headed by Mr. Bylykbashi and experienced managers and specialists such as Mr. Ylli Asllani have reached a common denominator. So the PD, as a responsible political opposition force, is in the same position in terms of the need, in terms of the new territorial division, asking for an increase in the number of municipalities, from 61 to 92 or 95 municipalities and some other improvements . The objectives of the PD draft are: Increasing citizen representation in local self-government; Shortening the distance of citizens with the institutions of local units and public services, that is, the facilitation of services to them; Creation of asymmetric, profiled municipalities, which have the same functions and public services, as well as different concentration in territorial planning; Doubling of local finances through the sharing of taxes and the addition of grants; Representation of each administrative unit in the City Council with councilors elected by the voters of the unit. Today I appeal to all MPs and senior leaders of the SP not to compromise, not to play with this very important reform, not to play with the dignity of the members of the commission. I would like to remind the deputies who are members of the reform commission of article 70, point 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Albania. This article emphasizes that deputies represent the people and are not bound by any binding mandate. There is nothing better than that in this new division, in this reform that we want to carry out, the deputies speak to their conscience, contact the people. I am briefly mentioning the project that we as PD have for the Vlora District. In the Vlorë region, in addition to the existing municipalities, we think, by doing a territorial reconfiguration, based on the traditions, history and culture, which I mentioned before, to add the municipality of Orikum, to add the municipality of Ksamil, to add the municipality of Amantia, which will to include the administrative units of the River of Vlora centered in Kote, to add the municipality of Topalltia centered in Novosela, which will include the entire area of ??Topalltia and, of course, the municipality of Vlora with this new configuration is consolidated, facilitated by those parts that could not manage them and the Vlora municipality will be the city of Vlora together with Zvrnec, Kanina, Narta and Babica e Madhe. Likewise Saranda Municipality. In the same way, we have a change in the municipality of Himarë, we have a consolidation of the municipality of Himarë and in its composition all the villages of the coast. Meanwhile, we have a proposal for the Delvinë municipality, this old and historic city, to have an outlet to the sea. I also call on all deputies to go to their constituencies to openly discuss the reform and its necessity with the people. I emphasize the respect I have for all the members of the Committee of Administrative and Territorial Reform, for the two co-leaders of this committee, and I will ask them not to be broken by party pressures. This reform should not be carried out for political purposes, but to correct the mistakes that were made in 2014, in respect of all Albanian citizens. we have a consolidation of the municipality of Himare and all the villages of the Coast. Meanwhile, we have a proposal for the Delvinë municipality, this old and historic city, to have an outlet to the sea. I also call on all deputies to go to their constituencies to openly discuss the reform and its necessity with the people. I emphasize the respect I have for all the members of the Committee of Administrative and Territorial Reform, for the two co-leaders of this committee, and I will ask them not to be broken by party pressures. This reform should not be carried out for political purposes, but to correct the mistakes that were made in 2014, in respect of all Albanian citizens. we have a consolidation of the municipality of Himare and all the villages of the Coast. Meanwhile, we have a proposal for the Delvinë municipality, this old and historic city, to have an outlet to the sea. I also call on all deputies to go to their constituencies to openly discuss the reform and its necessity with the people. I emphasize the respect I have for all the members of the Committee of Administrative and Territorial Reform, for the two co-leaders of this committee, and I will ask them not to be broken by party pressures. This reform should not be carried out for political purposes, but to correct the mistakes that were made in 2014, in respect of all Albanian citizens. I also call on all deputies to go to their constituencies to openly discuss the reform and its necessity with the people. I emphasize the respect I have for all the members of the Committee of Administrative and Territorial Reform, for the two co-leaders of this committee, and I will ask them not to be broken by party pressures. This reform should not be carried out for political purposes, but to correct the mistakes that were made in 2014, in respect of all Albanian citizens. I also call on all deputies to go to their constituencies to openly discuss the reform and its necessity with the people. I emphasize the respect I have for all the members of the Committee of Administrative and Territorial Reform, for the two co-leaders of this committee, and I will ask them not to be broken by party pressures. This reform should not be carried out for political purposes, but to correct the mistakes that were made in 2014, in respect of all Albanian citizens.