Residents of municipalities that are at risk of merging and merging with larger units have taken to the streets to oppose the plan. According to them, the loss of local autonomy will lead to the removal of services, excessive bureaucracy and additional costs for each family.
In Memaliaj, citizens openly spoke out against the merger with Tepelena, saying that the geographical distance will make it difficult to obtain basic documents, mainly for those living in remote villages.
Meanwhile, in Dimal, protesters rejected the merger with Berat and Poliçan, emphasizing that their area has a large agricultural weight and that the farmers of Kutallisë, Cukalat and Poshnë will be the most harmed by this decision.
This wave of reactions has also been joined by residents of Klos and Prrenjas. In Klos, citizens asked not to join Mati with the argument that public services will deteriorate, while in Prrenjas it became clear that the community does not accept being governed by the Municipality of Librazhd, demanding that the administrative offices remain in their city.
Meanwhile, the protest in Divjaka took on a broader political dimension. The residents' opposition to the merger with Lushnja was joined by the socialist mayor of the municipality, Josif Gorreja, alongside opposition representatives such as DP deputies Sajmir Korreshi and Brunilda Haxhiu, and former deputy Ilda Dhori. Participants underlined that protecting Divjaka's autonomy is necessary to guarantee dignified local representation and efficient services to the community.
The citizens of Poliçan were the first to react to the merger with that of Berat, which prompted a protest on Thursday evening, where hundreds of residents took to the streets with the slogans “Don’t touch Poliçan” and “Poliçan against Depopulation”. The revolt in this traditional bastion of the left was joined by dozens of socialists who publicly burned their party cards, as well as the local SP chairman himself, Erion Zylyftari, who announced his resignation from office after describing the new territorial plan as a betrayal of the community.
It remains to be seen whether the government will reflect on this new wave of dissatisfaction or insist on implementing the reform according to the proposed plan.
