Decentralizimi i pushtetit, progresi dhe zgjerimi i autonomisë vendore në Shqipëri
Decentralization of power, progress and enlargememt of local government authonomy in Albania

Summary/Abstract: In democratic societies, local government remains a major pillar of the functioning of political and social system of the country. After the collapse of communist regime, in the early 90’s Albania entered the path of political pluralism as the basis of a free and democratic society. The functioning of local government after free and democratic elections in general was associated with problems, because local governments did not possess sufficient competence and resources to perform its functions. Often local governments were unable to local public investment and financial system was fully centralized. In general, local government units were weak from the economic point of view and the possibility to generate their own resources was almost minimal. The real reform of decentralization started in 1999, consensually accepted by all the relevant stakeholders and implemented with the assistance of international community. Decentralization is the process of dispersing decision-making governance closer to the people and/or citizens. Decentralization stands for the transfer of authority and responsibility for public functions from the central government to subordinate or quasi-independent government organizations and/or the private sector. It is a complex and multifaceted concept and principle stipulated also in the Constitution of Republic of Albania and one of the core elements of the local government reform. The process of implementing changes in administrative-territorial division of local government units is one of the mechanisms to be used in the reform process with regard to improving the role of local government organs, to be able to better respond by fulfilling their functions to be transferred to them during different phases of the decentralization process. A distinct place in this reform regards the fiscal decentralization, which is developed in accordance with basic principles of European Charter of Local Autonomy, creating a suitable ground for the consolidation of local finance as schemes, increasing the fiscal autonomy and local finance. However in terms of consolidation of local government one should first say that the level of local government units (municipalities and communes) have been and remain the most consolidated in relation to the second level (regional councils) which have not yet been completed so clearly with the functions and role that will play at the regional level. However, this is an ongoing reform which requires also the opinion of the community at local government level in order to be efficient and successful.

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