No compromise on territorial reform, despite international pressure

TIRANA, April 2 – The Socialist Party-led government of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the main opposition Democratic Party of Tirana Mayor Lulzim Basha have failed to reach an agreement on working together on a territorial reform, despite domestic and international calls for consensus in a reform seen as of vital importance for the country’s future.
Following an open letter invitation that Rama sent to Basha, the negative reply was followed with bilateral accusation on the failure to reach a compromise.
The opposition wanted a greater role in the process, which they were offered by the government, but they later brought in new conditions and the talks fell apart.
It was then that Rama came out last week to say they will not wait forever as the reform has to be passed within this parliamentary session that ends in July.
The territorial reform will have a great positive impact on the country’s management, with tens of millions of dollars saved from the existing system asking at least $25 million to pay salaries of the public administration in some 385 administrative units, officials say.
But the opposition says it is worried that the new reform aims at a new division to give Socialists the edge in the local elections next year. The government says the concern is bogus, since the Democrats have been given veto powers on the format of the internal borders.
The Socialists do have the numbers in parliament to proceed on their own. But due to the international pressure they want to complete a required reform through political consensus.
The United States has been directly involved in such mediation in the country’s politics, and last week, the U.S. ambassador spoke in favor of the the reform at a conference on the issue.
U.S. Ambassador Alexander Arvizu said the timing of this endeavor is opportune as both this strategy and the territorial and administrative reforms currently under discussion will have a very significant impact on the functioning of local governments and the quality of services for Albanian citizens.
“In fact, territorial and administrative reform is much more than just redrawing administrative boundaries. It is closely linked to other functional reforms and it must lead toward a clearer understanding of the roles and the responsibilities in providing services, in generating revenues and in financing intergovernmental structures,” he said.
Arvizu added that Washington sees open, constructive dialogue as a vital element of effective government in a democratic society.
“We need to see a little bit less of the non-constructive dialogue but more of the constructive dialogue. If I stood up here and call each one of you a name or insulted your family it might be entertaining but it does not accomplish anything,” Arvizu said, urging Albanian politicians to stop useless and harsh debate at the parliament.
This week, Jonathan Moore, director of South-Central European Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, visited Tirana for three days to meet with top officials and leaders.
His visit is seen as another effort by Washington to mediate on issues that require political consensus.
On Tuesday, Moore met with President Bujar Nishani and Basha, leader of the opposition, urging
Albania to fight corruption and telling them this process should involve just institutions of justice and not political institutions.
The fight against corruption, justice system and territorial reforms are very important for Albanian citizens and for the country’s European integration.
Moore also said that the U.S. is a strong partner of Albania and is interested in the country’s European integration.