TIRANA, October 7 /ATA/ – Democratic Party Chairman Sali Berisha convened the DP Parliamentary group this Wednesday to discuss the bill proposed by the Parliamentary majority to alter the country’s administrative-territorial map, under which the number of municipalities would be reduced from 61 to 46.
The Democratic Party has expressed its opposition to this initiative, proposing an alternative plan that envisions increasing the number of municipalities to 100.
Berisha told DP MPs that the government is dissolving 15 municipalities. According to him, this is part of a depopulation policy being pursued by the Socialist Party (SP) leader—who is also Prime Minister—Edi Rama.
“This depopulation policy, driven solely by the aim of consolidating his power—specifically for electoral gain, and devoid of any other criteria—is a very grave act,” Berisha said. “This is effectively an act of open hostility toward the residents of these municipalities, who have responded with civic responsibility and have opposed this project. Furthermore, the Democratic Party’s own proposal envisions 100 municipalities, while leaving the door open to adding more based on consultations,” he stated.
The DP leader also reiterated the call for a protest.
“Tomorrow, citizens from across Albania—regardless of their political affiliations—will unite in a protest to defend the public interest, as citizens of all political persuasions have demonstrated their opposition to the dismantling of these municipalities,” Berisha said.
“I call upon citizens from all over Albania to protest against a Parliament that does not deserve to exist. That Parliament has become the mouthpiece for the most criminal interests of Edi Rama and his criminal organization.
That Parliament has become a shield for massive corruption. By voting solely to serve the narrow interests of Edi Rama and his subservient MPs, it has plunged Albanian citizens into darkness, approving every law and decision that goes directly against the interests of the Albanian people,” Berisha concluded.
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