Albanian MPs Pass Local Government Overhaul as Demonstrators Clash With Police
Albania’s parliament approved a territorial reform that merges smaller municipalities into larger units after a debate lasting more than 12 hours. Demonstrators outside parliament clashed with police, and eight people were arrested, while opposition lawmakers opposed the measure. The government says the existing 61-municipality structure is outdated, but critics argue the change will centralize power and isolate rural areas.
Albania’s assembly backed the municipal reorganization after a marathon session that stretched past 12 hours and ended early Friday. Outside, demonstrators confronted police, and authorities reported eight arrests. Democratic Party lawmakers voted against the plan; during the ballot, one MP hurled water bottles toward Prime Minister Edi Rama.
The measure required 84 votes. Rama’s Socialists held 83 seats, but support from Social Democratic Party MPs pushed it through with 85. The government says the 61-municipality map is outdated; opponents warn it may concentrate authority and leave rural areas more isolated. The previous restructuring, 12 years earlier, cut municipalities from 400 to 61.
The overhaul could reshape how residents experience local services, from waste collection and water to planning and transport. People in smaller or rural municipalities may find decisions made farther away, potentially worsening feelings of isolation, while larger units might gain administrative capacity. Local officials and voters could face new electoral and accountability dynamics. The protests and narrow parliamentary margin suggest the change may remain politically contentious, affecting public trust and future local governance debates.