Socialist Party MP, Elisa Spiropali, delivered her speech in the Assembly, as the new territorial reform is expected to be voted on today.
Spiropali has expressed criticism and concerns regarding the way institutions function, decentralization and the electoral system, while also warning of a vote against.
"It is with great regret that I am taking the floor, when I see that not only in this Parliament theater continues to be made, but also outside we have people protesting. But even more broadly we have an absolute lack of cohesion, trust in institutions, in political parties, in those of us who are here, in the social contract, in the pillars of the state. Together we have destroyed every normal space of communication, trust, way of executing and administering power and politics. I am starting from myself, because I believe that each of us must start from ourselves.
I believe that today, the Territorial Reform is not a reform. We must say it here openly. We are not discussing a territorial reform, because the question is not how many municipalities we have, but how much power a municipality should have. Should there be a territorial reform without real decentralization? I think you should change the map, it is easy. But can we change together and conceptualize power? Do citizens feel closer to decision-making today?
Decentralization is not just a matter of local government. If we demand more responsibility for municipalities, we must also discuss the autonomy of institutions. If we demand more responsibility from mayors, we must demand more responsibility from every level of government. We cannot talk about the distribution of power in the territory, without talking about the concentration of power.
Here I want to move on to the exercise of power for the good and in favor of the citizens. Mayors cannot be used either as prefects or as important elements of the ruling party. I am part of this majority. We must give them competence and weight, because they represent everyone. They cannot be called to meetings and treated as subordinates.
I am very sorry when I hear from my colleagues who speak without a place today to speak in such tones. We would defeat everyone, we would win all the municipalities… No, no, no. It is not normal to win all the municipalities. We need our institutions to be stronger than the people who exercise them.
It's not about obedient MPs, but about responsible ones. We must not only reform local government, but also the electoral system, which produces nothing. With three-quarters closed lists, one-quarter open. The citizen must know who he is voting for. We are neither cards nor irresponsible people. The way you address us is revolting. Our revolt must also be internal.
You act like you are representatives of the citizens. The mayor tells you what to do and you do it. Great independence, you.
Reform should not only be demanded by the opponent, but also internally. We must deserve victory. We must have the courage to reform our parties. Our municipalities. To elect the best people who emerge from the internal processes of the party. My stance has not been personal. At this point you have a lot to do", said Spiropali. /LAPSI.al
