Speaking about the proposed new territorial map, which envisages reducing the number of municipalities from 61 to 45, Mazniku said that the aim of the reform is to improve services for citizens.

Mazniku said that the 2014 reform was a success, as it strengthened municipalities, increased revenues, reduced debt and boosted the investment capacity of local government units.

“When we merge, we become stronger. You told people that their municipalities would disappear, that they would be dissolved. People do not live on a map; they live in their homes, where they want roads and water to reach them. People live in their neighbourhoods, which they want to see cleaned and lit,” Mazniku said.

He stressed that citizens have specific needs for services in the areas where they live, including sewage systems and roads in rural areas, as well as nurseries, kindergartens and public transport in cities.

Referring to the 2014 reform, Mazniku said that during the hearings and consultations, there had been no requests to restore the previous administrative division.

Mazniku said the 2014 territorial reform was considered a success during consultations, as it strengthened municipalities financially and administratively. However, he argued that further reform is needed to improve public service delivery.

“This is insufficient to meet the Socialist Party’s aspirations for how citizens are served across the country. This is the reason why we need to move forward,” Mazniku said.

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The ruling majority representative stressed that municipalities affected by the reform would preserve their names, identities and administrative centres.

He said the municipalities would become part of a new administrative structure through mergers with neighbouring municipalities, while continuing to retain their status as constituent cities within the new local government unit.

“Every area affected by this process will continue to have institutional representation through the relevant deputy mayor and seats on the municipal council, while also retaining a defined role in local planning, the organisation of services and the management of community matters,” Mazniku said.

According to Mazniku, the process aims to create a more efficient system of local governance while preserving citizens’ connection with the territory where they live, as well as its identity and history.

Members of the ruling majority’s parliamentary group who sit on the Special Parliamentary Commission on Administrative-Territorial Reform presented the proposal for Administrative-Territorial Reform 2.0 to mayors and municipal councils on Thursday.

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