Draft decision on the establishment of the Territorial Reform Commission/ How are the seats divided between the SP and the DP?

2025-10-24 15:03:00, Politikë CNA

Draft decision on the establishment of the Territorial Reform Commission/ How

The Special Commission established for Territorial Reform will have 16 members.

The SP will have 8 members, the DP 6 members, 1 representative from the Alliance for Change Parliamentary Group and 1 representative from the Freedom Party Parliamentary Group.

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REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA ASSEMBLY DRAFT DECISION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SPECIAL COMMISSION ON ADMINISTRATIVE-TERRITORIAL REFORM IN THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA

In accordance with Articles 77, paragraph 1, and 78, paragraph 1, of the Constitution and Articles 24 and 55, paragraph 1, of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, upon the proposal of a group of deputies,

ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA

DECIDED:

Establishment of the Special Parliamentary Committee for Administrative-Territorial Reform in the Republic of Albania.

II. The Special Commission has as its object of activity:

a) reviewing the legal and institutional framework of local government;

b) analyzing and proposing options for territorial redesign and strengthening the administrative capacities of local government units;

c) analyzing the current local finance system and recommending measures for the financial soundness and increased sustainability of local self-government units, including strengthening fiscal decentralization, increasing local revenues, optimizing expenditures and improving financial management;

ç) reviewing the quality and accessibility of local public services;

d) ensuring the compatibility of proposals with the European Union acquis and regional cohesion policies;

dh) developing a comprehensive, inclusive and transparent consultation process with local government units, their associations, civil society and international partners;

e) presenting to the Assembly the analytical document with recommendations for further steps and draft legal proposals.

III. The Special Commission consists of 16 members, of whom 8 are representatives of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, 6 representatives of the Democratic Party Parliamentary Group, 1 representative of the Alliance for Change Parliamentary Group and 1 representative of the Freedom Party Parliamentary Group. The names of the members of the Commission will be determined by decision of the Assembly.

IV. The Chairman of the Committee is a representative of the parliamentary majority and the Deputy Chairman is a representative of the parliamentary minority.

2 V. The Special Committee shall carry out its activities within a period of 9 months from the date of adoption of this decision. If necessary, upon a reasoned request of its chairman, the Assembly shall decide to extend the term of the Committee's activities.

VI. A group of local and international experts shall be established and shall function under the Special Commission, with representatives proposed by central government and local self-government institutions, local self-government associations, independent institutions and executive law enforcement agencies, public administration, academia, public and non-public universities, civil society and media institutes and organizations, as well as business organizations, etc., to be supported by the Technical Secretariat. The number, terms of work and specific tasks of the group of experts shall be determined by decision of the Commission. VII. The Special Commission shall, in its activity, hold consultations and discussion sessions with the Minister of State for Local Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of State for Parliamentary Relations and the Chief Negotiator, as well as with representatives of local government and elected local associations.

VIII. Any other parliamentary party, which is not included in this committee, has the right to make proposals.

IX. The Special Commission, for the realization of its object defined in point II of this decision, in cooperation with the group of experts, will organize:

• Hearings for consultation purposes, working groups and public discussions regarding the topics under the work of this committee with:

i) central government and local self-government institutions according to their respective areas of responsibility; ii) justice system institutions;

iii) independent constitutional institutions and public institutions established by the Assembly.

iv) executive law enforcement agencies, whose object of activity is issues affecting the interests of local government, in accordance with the relevant legislation;

v) well-known experts in relevant fields;

vi) representatives of civil society organizations and interest groups;

vii) teachers and students;

viii) representatives of specialized organizations within and outside the country, etc.;

• Collecting and processing necessary information and data from various state structures in order to fulfill its purpose;

• Involving public opinion, and especially national minorities and their representatives, in this process.

X. The European Union Presence, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, the OSCE Presence in Albania, as well as other international organizations with experience in local government issues, are invited to follow, provide assistance and technical expertise in the work of the Commission and the group of experts established under it.

XI. The meetings of the Commission are valid when more than half of its members participate in them. The Commission aims to reach decisions by consensus on all issues it examines. For specific issues on which consensus has not been reached, the expertise of the Venice Commission and the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe will be assessed and may be requested.

3 XII. The Secretary General is charged with creating working conditions, financial and logistical support for the activities of this Special Commission, the group of experts and the technical secretariat.

XIII. This decision shall enter into force immediately./ CNA