Tensions between Socialist MP Erion Braçe and residents of Memaliaj, who were protesting near the Parliament against the merger of their municipality with Tepelena, almost ended in a physical altercation.
The incident occurred as Braçe approached the protesters who doused him with water, while the deputy addressed one of them with the words "O legen...". Immediately after this, dozens of protesting residents became angry and started calling the deputy "Thief" and "Trash". It took the intervention of the DP deputy, Tritan Shehu, to calm the situation.
Citizens oppose the changes envisaged in the Administrative-Territorial Reform and their protest took place while the Laws Committee was discussing the revision of the new territorial map that merges the municipality of Memaliaj and unites it with Tepelena.