The new territorial reform in Albania, which divides the country in 60 municipalities from 360 in total, does not seem to have generated the expected results.

Government promoted this reform by declaring that a sum of Euro 60 million would be saved through the process of employees’ number decrease. But this fact does not seem to correspond to the reality. On contrary, costs increase has been verified.

Referring to the Ministry of Finance figures during the first semester of this year the costs for salaries increased with 35%.

From Lek 4.6 billion in 2015 the budget for salaries on 2016 goes to Lek 6.3 billion.

Meanwhile the fund for investments decreased with 41%. During the first six months of 2016 a fund of Lek 3.4 billion was allocated to the municipalities, while on 2015 they have been allocated a fund of Lek 5.9 billion.