Speaking during a plenary session, Gjekmarkaj accused the government of seeking to create what he called “administrative anarchy” rather than improve the country’s governance.

“I have a personal conviction that whenever proposals for reforms or laws are put forward, there is always a catch,” he said. “The aim is not to administer Albania or improve governance, but to create administrative anarchy in order to retain power at any cost.”

Gjekmarkaj said the proposed changes were illogical, undemocratic and inconsistent with European principles.

“The territory is divided, merged, torn apart and stitched back together, while Socialist lawmakers struggle,” he said, describing the reform as comparable to Albania’s 1975 Constitution.

“You are behaving like occupiers. This reform is a moral, political and legal incest. An attack carried out of fear,” Gjekmarkaj said.

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Lawmakers voted 113 in favour and three against the establishment of the Electoral Reform Committee, which will draft legislative amendments and review recommendations from the OSCE/ODIHR regarding the 2023 local elections, the upcoming May 2025 elections, and earlier polls.

The committee will also consider input from electoral institutions, parliamentary parties and civil society organisations, and will draft a new law on political party financing.

The committee will include 16 members – seven from the ruling Socialist Party (SP), seven from the opposition Democratic Party (DP), and two representing the Alliance for Change and the Freedom Party. It will be co-chaired by one member from each of the two main parties.

Parliament also approved, by 115 votes to three, the establishment of a Special Committee on Administrative and Territorial Reform. It will include 16 members eight from the SP, six from the DP, and one each from the Alliance for Change and the Freedom Party – and will operate for nine months, with the possibility of extension.

The committee on territorial reform will review of local government laws and institutions, the redesign of administrative boundaries, and strengthening the financial and administrative capacity of local governments. It will assess local finance systems, propose measures to improve fiscal decentralisation, increase local revenues, optimise spending and enhance financial management.

The committee will also examine the quality and accessibility of local public services, ensuring alignment with the EU acquis and regional cohesion policies. Its work will involve broad consultations with local authorities, civil society organisations and international partners.

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