
Socialist Party MP Erion Braçe delivered his speech at the Parliament podium, where he spoke about his connection with the citizens who have voted for him over the years and about the territorial reform, which he expressed his opposition to at the meeting of the SP parliamentary group.
Braçe recalled his first election as MP in Poliçan and his relationship with the residents of this area.
"I was elected MP for the first time in Poliçan by people who not only voted for me, but also sheltered me and treated me, when people who are still in this hall wanted me lost and a failure."
For 17 years in a row, other people, including those from Poliçan, Berat and Kuçova, gave me the endless trust and honor to represent them in the Assembly. Then in Kavaja and so on.
"I have lived with these people and I give them gratitude. Whoever does not know gratitude, does not know the connection with these people. It is neither emotional nor folkloric, it is a human relationship and whoever does not have it, will never understand it," said Braçe.
Speaking about territorial reform, the socialist MP said that over the years, "experiments after experiments" have been conducted with local government.
"With territory and power in this country, experiments after experiments have been conducted. I was in this Assembly when mayors became deputies and they did both."
Local government is the power of the citizen. The reform we have before us is a law that draws a new map.
The map, tried many times, is temporary and, as a reform, completely inadequate. I have heard it several times, especially this morning, that the map is the political opportunity, more bluntly, the votes it creates. It was the same in 2014. The worst thing here is that we are still here today.
"Even this map, which will likely change, will come into force in 2031. The sustainability of reforms does not come from votes, but from principles. The principles have been violated, they have not been applied equally everywhere in the territory dictated by this map, and this was said openly and without any hesitation," declared Brace.
Brace emphasized that the reform should be centered on citizens and not just changing administrative boundaries.
"We change people's lives with this map, not borders," said the socialist MP.
"How easily do we take this fact? The change in the lives of people who have made plans for their lives. I agree with the observation of a colleague here that the people are represented by the sovereignty of a deputy elected by vote."
So neither at the group level, nor at the professional group level like the parliamentary committees. Like the Economy Committee, whose criteria that confirm this law are economic and financial criteria. Amidst the river of information that was not shared with us in a year.
"I'm talking about the competencies Arbër (Arbjan Mazniku). I heard you refer to the competencies of the municipality, which they have not fulfilled. Incorrect competencies. 46 competencies are in the municipality today, these competencies were transferred without a budget, or with an insufficient budget," he said further.
After the time was up, Braçe refused to vacate the podium. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Evis Kushi, drew his attention twice and warned him to be careful, while the socialist MP then sat down in his seat.