Only 20 minutes long was the meeting in Maliq, debates over the Territorial Reform

The meeting of the Maliq Municipal Council, held this Thursday morning to discuss the Territorial Reform, was marked by tensions and debates, while left-wing councilors walked out of the meeting.

The meeting, called by the opposition, began around 10:00 a.m. and lasted only about 20 minutes. The agenda included the approval of the official position of the Maliq Municipal Council, which would then be forwarded to Parliament as part of the process of reviewing the administrative-territorial division.

During the meeting, the group of left-wing councilors declared that they would not participate in a decision-making process regarding the proposal that is to be submitted to Parliament.

Following this position, the chairman of the Municipal Council declared the meeting closed. The decision prompted reactions from opposition councilors and citizens present in the room, escalating tensions.

In footage obtained from the meeting, an elderly man can be seen visibly angered after the meeting was closed.

He addresses one of those present while holding his walking stick.

“Who is closing the meeting? Sit down there. Sit down quickly,” the elderly man is heard saying.

The debates come at a time when the Territorial Reform has sparked discussions at the local level as well, particularly over how municipalities and administrative units will be reorganized.

According to the draft proposed by the Socialists for the Territorial Reform, the Municipality of Maliq is expected to merge with the Municipality of Korçë.

The official position of the Maliq Municipal Council was expected to be submitted to Parliament as part of the consultation and discussion process regarding the proposed changes to the administrative-territorial division.

“KORÇA BOOM”