The Assembly of Albania approved the territorial reform with 85 votes in favour and 34 against. No lawmakers abstained. The vote followed a marathon session marked by heated debate and tension that continued past midnight. The reform will reduce the number of municipalities from 61 to 46 by merging 15 local government units.

Opposition lawmakers rejected the proposed changes. They argued that the reform fails to represent citizens’ interests and undermines local autonomy. They called instead for an increase to 100 municipalities. However, the governing majority secured enough votes to pass the legislation.

Meanwhile, the plenary session, chaired by Assembly Speaker Niko Peleshi, also approved 6 draft laws and 1 draft decision.

During the session, Socialist Party parliamentary group leader Taulant Balla requested changes to the agenda. His proposal postponed consideration of 2 bills until the next session. One concerns ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, adopted in Luxembourg on May 13, 2025. The other concerns an agreement between Albania and North Macedonia to establish joint border crossing points and conduct joint checks.

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