TIRANA, Oct. 5 /ATA/ – Ruling Socialist Party (SP) will back a new administrative-territorial map, chairman of SP parliamentary group Taulant Balla said on Monday, urging the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) to submit its proposals as parliament considers the reform.
Balla said the draft law was being reviewed by parliament’s legislation committee and was expected to be put to a vote in the plenary session scheduled for October 8.
“My appeal to DP parliamentary group is to take part in the discussions in the legal affairs committee. If they have proposals, they should submit them there. There is still time,” Balla told reporters.
He said the reform aimed to create stronger municipalities with greater financial and administrative capacity, capable of providing better services and attracting investment. He also linked the changes to Albania’s EU integration process, saying stronger local authorities would be better positioned to compete for EU-related projects.
Responding to opposition claims that the reform was being approved unilaterally, Balla noted that the Democratic Party had also boycotted the 2014 vote on the previous territorial reform.
“If they want to stay away again, let them. But the caravan must move forward,” he said.
Balla rejected claims that the proposed merger of Rrogozhinë and Kavajë was electorally motivated, saying both municipalities are in Tirana county and that the merger would not alter the electoral landscape in national elections.
He said Socialist lawmakers had raised their views and concerns during the group meeting, but that the parliamentary group remained committed to supporting the reform.
/r.e/a.f/u.sh/
