1. Challenges of local Direct Democracy in Albania after the administr
Challenges of local Direct Democracy in Albania after the administr.-territor.Reform
by Andreas Gross (Switzerland)
(Political Scientist/ Dr h.c.; Lecturer and Director Atelier for Direct Democracy St-Ursanne, 24 years Swiss MP/ : Leader of the Social Democrats in the PACE Strasburg)
Presentation for the Seminar “Citizen’s Participation and Direct Democracy”
org. by KRIIK Albania and CDO,
Tirana, February 3rd 2017

2. The momentum would be here
A decentralization effort has been started, both territorially and administratively
A new local and regional self-government system is developed
The new 61 municipalities (before 350) have more and new duties, competences and financial resources
New laws for “Public. Consult”(2014) and “Right to information”(2014)

3. The time for building a new local democracy with direct-democratic elements has come
Direct Election of the Mayor
Election of the Munic’council (MCC)
Agreement on a Municipal-charta, incl:
Citizen-Motion to the MCC (100 sign)
Citizen-Initiatives (1%), brought to a municipal Referendum incl.Counterprop. of MCC
Municipality-parts (Tirana:Quarteers)-Motions

4. Advantages of such a new participatorial Municpal DD
Citizens start to get to know their new municipality and build up a identification
The new Major and the MCC get more legitimacy
Citizen learn about the problems and how to solve them (ecological, social, urban development)
Citizens start to build up a sense of ownership

5. Challenges/Questions
Do you need to change for this the national referendum-law and separate it also from the electoral law ?
Would a amendment to the local administrative law allowing a DD-framework to the municipalities be enough ?
Should a new national law for cornerstones of the municipal DD be drafted
May a municipality go on, evt. on a advisory logic
“The design determines the quality”