Speaking at the “Renewal Pulpit” gathering in Elbasan, Berisha remarked that the rather than fixing past mistakes, the new territorial reform is intensifying them.

“They have no interest in the citizens. Instead of correcting the major mistakes that were made, they are exacerbating the situation by eliminating another 15 municipalities,” he said.

Specifically, Berisha noted that in Elbasan region, three municipalities—which are fully functional, successful and serve the citizens’ interests—are slated for dissolution.

“But, they have no interest other than their own power. We have a plan. Our plan is public. Far from eliminating municipalities, we intend to add at least 40 more—both here in Elbasan region and across every region of Albania—to bring local government closer to the citizens,” he emphasized. Berisha also emphasized that the Democratic Party is determined to double salaries and pensions as a primary commitment for its first term in office, as well as to abolish taxes on all food products.

Speaking from Elbasan, Berisha also declared a policy of zero tolerance toward organized crime.

“I declare here, from this hall, to the criminal organizations of Elbasan, Durrës, Shkodra, and all of Albania, that you will find no refuge on earth, but prison. You have gravely harmed our citizens and Albania itself. /m.m/r.e/a.f/p.s./

Speaking to reporters, Balla stated that 60-day deadline to consult municipal councils on the territorial reform is coming to an end.

Balla reminded all municipalities that have not yet submitted a response that they have until September 29 to do so.

“Without doubt, the Parliament cannot vote before September 29; it cannot breach this deadline because it is a statutory one. Following September 29, the scheduled date is October 8, and I very much hope we will proceed to a vote then,” Balla said.

Balla emphasized that the remaining time is now limited. “We have been discussing this issue for at least a year straight. This is not the most far-reaching reform we could have undertaken; it is a partial one. There will be further reforms in the coming years. The transition from 61 municipalities to 46 is a step forward, and the citizens will be the beneficiaries of this reform, who will receive better services,” Balla said.

Balla stressed that the Socialist Party wishes for the reform to be approved by consensus, while noting that, “We did not have consensus back in 2014 either, with the same political opposition facing us.” /r.e/a.f/p.s./

Speaking before parliament’s Committee on Human Rights and Public Information Media, Radka Betcheva, the EBU’s head of member relations for Central and Eastern Europe, highlighted the importance of a stable and adequately funded public broadcaster.

She said RTSH’s current structure, with separate management for television and radio, posed challenges for reorganising the broadcaster and adapting it to rapid changes in the media industry.

Betcheva said the television tax remained an important funding mechanism for public broadcasting because it established a direct link between the public and the institution. Any changes to the funding model, she added, should reflect RTSH’s actual needs and the services it is expected to provide.

Committee chair Jorida Tabaku said faster restructuring would require additional funding, while government approval of the broadcaster’s budget created a potential conflict of interest.

“We need faster restructuring, but that comes with a higher financial cost,” Tabaku said, adding that RTSH’s funding requests had not been fully accommodated in the past two budget cycles.

Betcheva also called for institutional support to digitise RTSH’s archive, warning that some archival material was deteriorating over time and that its loss would represent a broader cultural loss, not just a setback for the broadcaster.

She described the RTSH archive as part of Albania’s national heritage, saying it documents important aspects of the country’s history, culture and identity.

“Take action to support the digitisation of the archive,” Betcheva urged Albanian institutions, citing the Czech Republic’s experience in preserving and digitising audiovisual archives.

The EBU representative also expressed support for RTSH’s transformation process and its director, Eni Vasili, linking the broadcaster’s development to institutional stability, sustainable funding and modernisation.

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During a press conference, when asked about the DP’s strategy to oppose the draft proposed by the socialist majority, Berisha said that the party will organize petitions and aim to hold a referendum.

“Our position is to engage directly with citizens to organize petitions and advance toward a referendum. This initiative directly upholds their constitutional rights and aligns with the European Charter of Local Self-Government,” he said.

Regarding the local elections, Berisha said that the majority is using public funds in function of electoral interests.

Berisha said that the Democratic Party is preparing for the local elections and aims to select candidates who, according to him, will have wide support from the citizens.

“The DP is preparing to put forward to Albanians the best candidates they have ever had,” he said. /m.q/a.f/r.e/p.s./

Berisha said that the Democratic Party will respond to what he called the “unilateral boycott” of the reform by the socialist majority, while emphasizing that the opposition representatives have continued to participate in the public hearings and protests held within the framework of the process.

According to him, the representatives of the Democratic Party have held consultations with the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, as well as have held meetings with representatives of some embassies in Tirana.

We shall decide our next step today. We do not withdraw from the categorical rejection of Edi Rama’s reform. And we are using every space we can find to oppose it,” Berisha said.

Berisha reminded that they participated in the territorial reform because it was one of the two basic demands of the European Commission in its October report on Albania. /m.q/ /a.g/p.s./

In a post on social media platform X, a day after a cabinet meeting in the south-eastern town of Pogradec, Hoxha said the meeting had provided an opportunity to assess priorities in detail and set clear objectives through the end of the year, including in foreign policy.

“The successful continuation of the EU accession process remains our primary objective and will require an increased pace, clear focus and full diplomatic commitment,” Hoxha said.

He said Albania would also step up efforts to strengthen regional cooperation, contributing to a Western Balkans that is “more stable, interconnected, sustainable and closer to Europe.”

Another priority will be to modernise and simplify consular services, making them faster, more accessible and more citizen-oriented, Hoxha said.

He also identified continued reform of the Foreign Service as a key focus, aimed at building a modern, professional and merit-based diplomatic service with a capable and agile corps committed to representing Albania, protecting national interests and creating greater added value for the country.

Hoxha said Albania’s diplomatic priorities also included strengthening the country’s international image and cultural and social profile, closer links with the economy and trade, more partnerships and opportunities, and delivering more tangible results for Albania and its citizens.

“European Albania also requires European diplomacy,” Hoxha said.

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In a statement to the media, Kedhi commented on yesterday’s meeting in Kuç between Prime Minister Edi Rama and local elected officials regarding the new territorial map.

Kedhi recalled that the Constitution of Albania stipulates that the borders of local government units cannot be changed without first consulting the opinion of the population residing in them.

“The European Charter of Local Self-Government requires prior consultation of communities on changing borders and consultation of local authorities, in due time, on issues that directly affect them”, he added.

According to him, “The Democratic Party has a completely different approach on the local government”.

“We want power and money in local hands, not controlled by one person. We support small towns and local services, not giant distant offices. Communities must choose for themselves and keep their unique way of life. Citizens across Albania share these values, and that is why they are protesting today”, he said. /m.m/j.p/r.e/p.s./

Mayor Mariglen Disha announced meetings in every municipal unit so citizens can review the draft, share feedback and help shape the municipality’s final position.

According to him, citizens will have the opportunity to get acquainted with the content of the draft law, as well as to present their opinions, proposals and suggestions regarding the administrative-territorial division.

“The opinions of the community will be taken into consideration by Librazhd Municipality during the drafting of the final stance on this process”, said Disha, while inviting citizens to participate in the meetings that will be held in the respective Municipal Units. /m.m/j.p/p.s./

Addressing the socialist majority’s draft proposal to reduce municipalities from 61 to 46, Berisha argued that the move deepens power centralization. He claimed this local government consolidation weakens democracy, fuels depopulation, and allows Prime Minister Edi Rama to concentrate absolute control while pursuing harmful demographic changes.

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During a conversation with journalists, Mazniku said that since the beginning of the third governing mandate, the Socialist Party put the new administrative-territorial reform high in its agenda.

According to him, the commission was established on the basis of two important principles: parity with the opposition and co-chairmanship, as an expression of good faith to build a long-term and comprehensive reform.

He said that the opposition did not contribute to the process, emphasizing that it did not participate in the commission’s work for four months, while the debate then focused on the work calendar. According to Mazniku, the commission’s term was determined since its creation and ended on July 19.

Mazniku argued that the reform is closely linked to the European integration process. He stated that Albania aims to close negotiations with the European Union by the end of 2027 and become a member state in 2029. In this context, according to him, municipalities must be stronger administratively and financially in order to benefit from the EU funds.

According to Mazniku, if the reform is not approved before the 2027 Albania’s local elections, the country will lose an important development opportunity.

If we miss this deadline, i.e. the 2027 deadline, we do not lose a month, but we lose eight years. It cannot start before 2031, because the mandates of those elected in 2027 local elections cannot be interrupted halfway. The adjustment period would be 2031-2035 and we would actually enter full functionality in 2035. Thus, we lose eight years,” he said.

Mazniku emphasized that the goal of the reform is not to change borders for political interests, but to create more functional municipalities, with more human, technical and financial capacities, capable of providing better quality services and promoting the economic development of the territories they administer.

Another pillar of the reform, according to him, is decentralization. Mazniku said that the transfer of functions from the central government to local government cannot be achieved only through legal changes, but requires municipalities with capable administrations, specialists, means and financial resources. /m.q/r.e/p.s./