The leader of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha, says that they will use every legal battle to oppose the new territorial map that was approved with 85 votes in favor. Berisha says that they will not allow the annihilation of 15 municipalities for the electoral interests of Prime Minister Edi Rama, while stating that they have started collecting signatures for the referendum.
Sali Berisha: The DP will use every legal battle against the execution of 15 municipalities and for its 100 municipalities plus project. In this context, we have started collecting signatures for a referendum. We will study the modalities of local and national referendums, which we have the deepest conviction that we protect the interests of Albanian citizens from a gang.
Constitutional complaint?
Sali Berisha: It does not exclude any of the legal possibilities. We advocated for the citizens in one of the longest and most intense debates in the history of the assembly. For 14 hours, we presented every argument and no party interest, all in the interest of the citizens, but multiplied by zero for the electoral interests of the godfather. We will use every legal space to protect the rights of the communities.
The leader of the DP says that the Socialists were blackmailed into voting in favor of the territorial map.
"Last night after midnight, in a flagrant act of anti-national, anti-citizenship, crime, hostage-taking and bribery, criminal mandates were thrown like arrows against the citizens of 15 municipalities of the country, for their annihilation. The deputies of the crime party in unison, trampled on the interests of their constituents.
Taken hostage by their corruption, by the theft and loot they have secured with their mandate, they voted in a collective crime for the annihilation of 15 municipalities.
Territorial reform is undoubtedly, in relation to citizens and communities, the most important reform because this reform has to do with the governance of communities themselves. It has to do with their local governments, which have the mission of developing the territory of the community. They have the mission of conserving the cultural and historical heritage of the community. They have the mission of protecting and developing the identities of communities.
Yesterday was the day of the criminal machetes, where MPs were taken hostage like rabbits, where they were blackmailed, called, and threatened with serious family and personal consequences.
Can you imagine how the MP for Fushë-Arrëz votes for the merger of Fushë-Arrëz, which for the sake of truth has been a center on the road connecting Albania with Kosovo, has been a center for centuries.
Berisha says that the DP will refuse to participate in the commission expected to be established next week to determine the competencies of the new municipalities.
"Under no circumstances. The DP participated and I told them that we participate, not because we are convinced that Rama will not use the votes of crime against citizens. We were very clear about that. But we participated and followed the agenda throughout Albania to hear the voice of citizens, who in every consultation unmasked Rama's territorial division. He dissolved 15 municipalities for electoral purposes without any argument," said Berisha.