Opposition to the Socialist majority's version of the new territorial reform is also spreading within local government. After Libohova, Këlcyra and Klos, the municipal councils of Selenica and Divjaka have also taken a stand against the proposal to merge their municipalities.
Selenica and Divjaka are among 15 municipalities that, according to the proposed variant, will cease to exist as separate local units and will merge with larger neighboring municipalities.
In Selenica, during an extraordinary meeting, 19 left-wing and right-wing councilors voted in principle against the proposal that envisages the merger of the municipality with Vlora.
The same position is held by the socialist mayor Nertil Bellaj. According to him, Selenica should continue to function as a separate local unit, as merging with Vlora would harm the representation and development of the area.
"The public debt of the Municipality of Selenica today is 3.6%, we are ranked among the first for economic diversity. We do not depend on one sector, but on all sectors. This is my position with facts, it is not a political position, it is not about my chair, I am or I am not", declared Bellaj.
There is also opposition in Divjaka, where citizens have been protesting against the merger of the municipality for 14 days. The Municipal Council held a special meeting to discuss the project, while left-wing and right-wing councilors came out against the merger with Lushnje.
Mayor Josif Gorrea also confirmed that he is against this scenario. He also spoke about the meeting held two days ago in Kuç with Prime Minister Edi Rama, saying that he had defended his position on preserving Divjaka as a separate municipality.
"My position has been clear from day one, I have not changed any element of what I have stated. Even in this meeting, I strongly defended the idea that it should remain, with numerous arguments. I asked what the villagers of my municipality will benefit from this municipality and I did not receive an answer," said Gorrea.
The Divjaka Municipal Council also approved the establishment of a commission to conduct hearings with residents in all administrative units. The commission will be composed of four representatives from the municipality and three from the Municipal Council.
The process of hearings with citizens is also expected to begin soon in Selenica. At the end of the process, the municipalities are expected to draft and approve reports with official positions on the new territorial map, which will be forwarded to the Parliament and the government.
Meanwhile, the opposition has also spread to Rrogozhina. This evening, residents of the area went out in protest to oppose the proposal to merge their municipality with Kavaja.
