The territorial reform hasn’t fulfilled the expectations of citizens, municipalities and the administration that passed it in 2015, and today it aims to review the funding scheme for local divisions. The news was announced on Euronews Albania by PM Edi Rama.

“The territorial reform is in need of a new intervention in terms of expenses, but this has to be done in collaboration with the opposition and with their understanding, because it can’t be a one-sided intervention,” said the head of government.

The Report of the Local Government 2020, shows that more than half of the municipalities can’t achieve financial autonomy, thus adding to the stock of debt and endangering investments and spending.

“The budget of municipalities varies in the report 40 to 60%. There, over 50% of municipalities survive; they create their activity over the unconditional transfer allocated by the budget,” said Agron Haxhimiali, director of the Association of Municipalities.

Haxhimali also discovered for Euronews Albania that the government is also working on a project to reopen the territorial map of 61 municipalities.

The Association of Municipalities proposed a reevaluation of the reform so that it can include a broad public consultation, and maybe even the alternative of a referendum.

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