Poliçan Protest: Socialist Leader Erjon Zylyftari Resigns as PS Members Burn Party Cards Over Territorial Reform

 POLIÇAN, ALBANIA — Residents of Poliçan have taken to the streets to protest against Albania’s proposed Territorial Reform, amid concerns that the changes could affect the status of the Municipality of Poliçan.

 Socialist Party members in Poliçan burn their membership cards in protest against proposed Territorial Reform changes that could affect the municipality's status.

The protest brought residents together in the center of the city, where demonstrators held banners and chanted against the proposed administrative changes. They called for Poliçan to remain on Albania’s map of municipalities and demanded that local residents have a say in any decision affecting their community.

PS members burn Socialist Party membership cards

One of the most striking moments of the protest came when Socialist Party members publicly burned their Partia Socialiste (PS) membership cards as a sign of dissatisfaction.

The dramatic gesture was directed at the proposed changes involving Poliçan and reflected growing opposition among some members of the ruling Socialist Party to any move that could affect the municipality.

The burning of the party cards added a strong political dimension to the demonstration, showing that opposition to the proposed reform is not limited to supporters of opposition parties.

Erjon Zylyftari announces public resignation from the Socialist Party

During the protest, Erjon Zylyftari, head of the Socialist Party organization in Poliçan, publicly announced his resignation from the party.

Zylyftari reportedly said that any decision affecting the Municipality of Poliçan would constitute an injustice toward local residents.

His public resignation represents one of the most significant developments of the demonstration, as a local Socialist Party leader openly broke with the political force he had represented.

Residents sign petition to protect Poliçan Municipality

Protesters also signed a petition opposing any move to remove or alter the Municipality of Poliçan as part of the Territorial Reform.

 A large crowd of residents gathers in the main square of Poliçan to protest proposed administrative changes under the Territorial Reform, demanding that the municipality remain on Albania's administrative map.

Through the petition, residents are demanding that their concerns be taken into account before any final decision is made regarding the country's administrative map.

The protest highlights the sensitivity surrounding Albania's Territorial Reform, particularly in smaller municipalities where residents fear that administrative changes could affect local representation, public services and the relationship between communities and local government.

For the protesters in Poliçan, the message was direct: the municipality should remain on Albania's administrative map, and no decision about its future should be made without listening to its residents.