While the Socialist Party has sent to the Assembly its proposal for the new administrative-territorial division with 46 municipalities, which foresees the merger of 15 municipalities, the Democratic Party has published its version a few hours later.
In the DP draft, Albania is proposed to be divided into 100 municipalities and 6 regions, bringing a significantly different model than that proposed by the majority.
The document prepared by Democratic Party experts was distributed to DP deputies by the co-chair of the Committee for Administrative-Territorial Reform, Luciano Boçi.
In the message addressed to the deputies, Boçi writes: "Honorable deputies, with the approval of the Chairman of the DP and the Chairman of the group, I am sending you the list of municipalities (100) presented in the report by our experts. Everyone can then make their own statement. Thank you!"
According to the DP's version, the 100 municipalities will be organized into 6 regions:
Region 1 – Shkodër-Lezhe: 16 municipalities
Region 2 – Dibër-Kukës: 13 municipalities
Region 3 – Tirana-Durrës: 15 municipalities
Region 4 – Elbasan-Korçë: 19 municipalities
Region 5 – Fier-Berat: 19 municipalities
Region 6 – Vlorë-Gjirokastër: 18 municipalities.
The DP variant restores to the administrative map a number of municipalities that do not exist in the current territorial division, while in some regions a significant increase in the number of municipalities is foreseen.
In Shkodra district, for example, 8 municipalities are proposed, up from the current 5, while in Lezha district the number goes from 3 to 8 municipalities. In Tirana district, the DP proposes 10 municipalities, up from 5 according to the 2014 territorial division.
Among the municipalities proposed in the draft are Velipojë, Drivast, Koplik, Shishtavec, Bicaj, Maqellarë, Shupenza, Kastriot, Lure, Petrelë, Kashar, Dajt, Arbanë, Ndroq, Amantia, Orikum, Ksamil and Novoselë, in addition to the existing municipalities that receive new territorial compositions in the draft.
The two new proposals for territorial division thus present two different models: the SP proposes 46 municipalities, while the DP proposes 100 municipalities organized into 6 regions.
The Democratic Party's proposal is expected to be part of the parliamentary discussions and debate on the new administrative-territorial reform.
