Public hearing for "Territorial" in Gjirokastra/ Debate between Dula and Maznik: Don't abuse sophisms

2026-04-24 19:02:00, Aktualitet CNA

Public hearing for "Territorial" in Gjirokastra/ Debate between Dula

The next hearing of the Special Parliamentary Committee for Administrative-Territorial Reform was held today in Gjirokastra.

During the conversation, a debate took place between MP Vangjel Dule and the co-chair of the Committee, Arbjan Maznik.

During his speech, Dule expressed opposition to the theses expressed by Maznik, which according to him claims to sever the basic notion of space.

In response, Mazniku stated that the main issue that needs to be resolved is the provision of services to citizens. At one point, Dule addressed Mazniku, describing his statements as "sophisms."

The other co-chair, Luciano Boçi, also intervened in the debate, stating that the focus should be on representation, service, financial autonomy, democracy and decentralization.

Debate:

Dule: I would like to express a couple of ideas, starting with a categorical objection to the thesis expressed by Mr. Mazniku, which claims to detach us from the basic notion of space. We should not start from borders. But nothing can be analyzed in the future without taking into account the dimension of 'where'. I am concerned about a very fundamental fact, even if we have the ideal local government in its function, even if its administration is perfect, even if we have ideal borders, if democracy does not function, we have failed. We avoid democracy, which is representation. Tell me in this municipality that we are in today, is the former commune of Picari, Antigonëse, Lunxhëria represented in the municipal council? Who will convey their voice in the Municipal Council?”

Mazniku: This is a first discussion, we will have the opportunity to have other discussions, but together with the co-director of Reforma we thought we would get the opinions of the citizens. Mr. Dule said that we cannot discuss the territory without the competencies. I am not saying that we should not discuss the territory without the competencies, but when we only talk about the territory without the competencies we do not get anywhere because we must have the opportunity to provide the service. I listened to everyone without saying a single sentence, I will state the argument as I think and I only spoke about one service which is the construction of roads, but what about when we talk about cleaning? Social service? The question is why it is important to talk about the competencies, to see that we have the services and the financial resources for these services? So I say that the discussions start from the services.

Dule: These are sophisms…

Mazniku: Please, I heard you… Mr. Dule….

Dule: You can't abuse sophisms

Mazniku: You have a very bad habit of talking when others are talking. We need to have the opportunity to provide services to citizens and think about how to provide them, and this should be our goal.

Boçi: It is natural to have debates and different positions, but local government is representation, service, financial autonomy, democracy and decentralization, this is where we should focus, then the rest of the opinions enter into subjectivism. /CNA