Mayor of Tirana Erion Veliaj signed a memorandum of understanding with Swiss Ambassador Christoph Graf and the Head of Council of Europe in Albania Claus Neukirch for cooperation in the area of direct democracy. A similar memorandum was signed yesterday also by the Mayor of Mallakastër Agron Kapllanaj.
”Instruments of direct democracy such as referendums are common practice in Switzerland. I think Albania is making steps towards this too”, said Ambassador Graf after the signing. He reiterated that democracy in fact starts at local level and municipalities are the real practitioners of direct democracy.
Mayor Veliaj said: “I see today’s agreement with the Swiss government and the Council of Europe as very beneficial in order to have a concrete platform that can turn into a regular model for the Municipality of Tirana and the way it consults with citizens on important decision-making, referendums, direct democracy and all proposals or initiatives coming from outside the traditional municipal context”.
“Direct democracy within a well-defined framework will provide a new ground for the local authorities to increasing citizens’ participation in decision-making in order to respond better to the needs of their constituencies”, said the Head of Council of Europe in Albania Claus Neukirch.
Based on the memorandum both municipalities – Tirana and Mallakastër – will work with Swiss and Council of Europe experts to build a model of direct democracy. The first of this kind in Albania this model will be drafted by Swiss expert Andreas Gross – a former MP and political activist.
Municipal staff will be trained in the concept and practices of direct democracy which is a special feature of the Swiss political system and allows citizens to actively influence decisions and policies. An action plan will be implemented to test out direct democracy instruments such as citizen consultations in the contexts of Tirana and Mallakastër.
Mallakastër municipality has already engaged in a first example of direct democracy by supporting a citizen initiative to stop the building of a dam in the Vjosa river that might have harmful environmental impact on the community in Poçem area.
Direct democracy is neglected in Albania and citizens feel without voice when it comes to influencing decisions that have an impact on them. Both municipalities have approached the Swiss Embassy and Council of Europe to assist them in introducing direct democracy instrument in their territories for better inclusion of citizens in decision making processes.
The Swiss government through its support programme for local governance will offer to both municipalities valuable expertise, especially derived from the unique Swiss experience in implementing direct democracy instruments.
