Thursday's plenary session is expected to be one of the hottest political clashes in the Assembly, where the Socialist Party's draft for the new territorial reform will be put to a vote on the agenda.
However, the numerical calculations for Prime Minister Edi Rama do not seem at all secure on paper.
Publisht, MP Marjana Koçeku, a former member of the SP parliamentary group who now operates as an independent, has finally dashed the hopes of the leader of the socialist parliamentary group, Taulant Balla.
Koçek has confirmed that he will vote conscientiously and absolutely against this draft law, despite political pressures.
She expressed her conviction that even within the ranks of the SP there will be other MPs who will oppose the new map with a responsible vote, challenging disobedience to the party order.
Counting the numbers: How the qualified majority collapses
On paper and theoretically, the majority led by Edi Rama counts 83 mandates of its own, to which are added 3 deputies from the PSD, bringing the ideal total to 86 mandates.
But the parliamentary reality for Thursday presents a completely different scenario:
85 mandates: With the departure and the vote declared against by Marjana Koçeku, the total immediately drops to 85.
84 mandates: The absence of Belinda Balluku, who continues to be absent from the Assembly, reduces the number of votes in favor to 84.
82 mandates: The situation is further complicated with MPs Erion Braçe and Vullnet Sinaj.
Both expressed open opposition and resistance today during the meeting of the SP parliamentary group, warning that they will not vote for the draft law.
If they do not participate in the vote or vote against, the number of votes in favor drops to 82.
In addition to
these shrinking numbers, the list of wavering members also includes Elisa Spiropali, whose position remains in question and further adds to the uncertainty within the majority.
Edi Rama faces a tough test of parliamentary discipline on Thursday, where vote-rigging by his MPs could throw the new territorial map out of play.
