Reforms to the Country Administrative Division in Albania After 1990

Abstract

Political changes after 1990 necessitated the reorganization and functioning of local government in Albania. As it is known, two
levels of local government function in our country; the first level includes the communes and municipalities, while the second level
includes the prefectures and counties. At the time being 12 counties and 12 prefectures, 36 districts, 65 municipalities, 309 communes
and 3020 villages function in Albania. The functioning of local government is based on: Constitution of the Republic of Albania, Albanian
legislation since 1990 , especially the law no. 8652 which dates back to July 31, 2000 "On organization and functioning of local
government", as well as European charter on local autonomy. Legislation for local autonomy and decentralization of government was
drafted on the basis of Article 13 of the Constitution of Albania. Article 7 guarantees the principle of unity and balance of the local
government. The development of administrative reforms in Albania has been influenced by these factors: - administrative tradition of the
Albanian State 1912 - 2011; - world experience ; - economic and cultural administration level; - interests of political class and Albanian
state; - attitude of the people and the local administration. - physical and geographic conditions of the country. Reorganization and
administrative division are conditioned by of the demomographic movement of rural and urban population. Although Albanian
government and parliament have repeatedly focused on the topic of organization and functioning of local government, administrative
reform in Albania is far from being considered complete.