Socialist Party passes territorial reform as protesters surround parliament
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Parliament approved a new territorial map that reduces the number of municipalities and redistributes seats based on population. The Socialist Party secured the votes while Sali Berisha told crowds outside that the prime minister was executing the country’s local government for political gain.
Protesters described the administration as a narco-state and a parliament of the mafia; the police described it as a perimeter to be secured. While the opposition warns of depopulation, the government has moved forward with the Socialist Party draft that outlines a new formula for distributing mandates based on population.
The day’s other business was equally contentious. The Judicial Council used a majority vote to unblock the selection of a new chief prosecutor, and the father of an infrastructure official claimed he was being threatened following his testimony to special prosecutors. Meanwhile, the prime minister cut short an interview with an American journalist; the broadcaster says the full footage will be released next week.