The employees of the Memaliaj Municipality administration welcomed Mayor Albert Malaj with applause, after the decision that foresees the merger of this municipality within the framework of the new territorial reform and its unification with Tepelena.

The decision has been opposed for weeks by the residents of Memaliaj, who in public hearings held in the administrative units have expressed concern about the removal of services, depopulation and economic consequences for the area. The Memaliaj Municipal Council has also expressed its opposition to the draft project, with 9 votes against and one abstention.

At the meeting with the administration, Mayor Albert Malaj stated that work will continue normally until the formalization of the changes foreseen by the reform, while services for citizens will continue without interruption.

Malaj has been one of the voices opposing the merger of the Memaliaj Municipality, arguing that the municipality has considerable weight in the region both in terms of the number of residents and its territorial extension.