New changes are expected to be implemented in the May 9th 2027 local elections, when citizens will vote for mayors and councils of 46 municipalities. Meanwhile, the 12 existing circles will remain unchanged.

In the President’s decree, in support of Article 84, point 1 and Article 93 of the Constitution, no law is announced. 100/2026, for administrative-territorial division of local government units in the Republic of Albania.

According to the new division, 33 municipalities will remain unchanged, while another 28 will be involved in the territorial reshuffle process. In this context, 15 municipalities will lose their status and be included in larger local entities.

The municipalities predicted to join are Fushe-Arrezi, Klosi, Rrogozhina, Dimali, Policani, Patosti, Divjaka, Selenica, Maliqi, Kelcyra, Memaliyaj, Libohova, Crik, Belshi and Perrenjas.

Concretically, Fushe-Arraz will join Puka, Klosi Mattit and Kavaja Rrogozyna. In Berat County, Dimal and Polican will join Berat.

In the district of Elbasan, Cerrik and Belshi will join the Elbasan municipality, while Perrenjas will join Librazhd. In Fieri County, Patosti will be included in the municipality of Fier and Divjaka in the Lusnja municipality.

With the new organisation, the territory will be divided into 46 municipalities, 71 constituent cities and 387 administrative units. Each municipality will have a mayor, a municipal council, an administration and a single budget, while cities will have a role in administrative co-ordination and service organisation.

The reform aims to improve territory management, finance management and delivery of public services to citizens, as well as strengthen local government financial autonomy and increase administrative capacities.

Under the reform argument, the reshuffle is also aimed at adapting territorial division with demographic changes and demands of the integration process.

Source Layer: RTKLive