Aspects of Good Administration in the Self-Government Reformation in Albania

• Author: Belina Bedini
• Position: Lecturer, Department of Political Sciences, Aleksandër Moisiu University, Albania
• Pages: 48-56

European Integration - Realities and Perspectives. Proceedings 2019

48

Aspects of Good Administration in the

Self-Government Reformation in Albania

Belina Bedini1

Abstract: In 2015 Albania introduced the Law No. 139 on “Self-Government in the Republic of Albania” as

one of the most relevant reformations, in the framework of the integration of the country into European Union.

Indeed the aim of law, i s to provide a more effective, efficient and a closer local government to the citizens,

introducing in this way the European concept of good administration. In this paper we intend to treat the

promotion of citizen’s participation in the decision-making process, as one the key elements of the good

administration. Hence we will analyse if the citizens are i nvolved to the decision-making process in local

government, after three years of the implementation of the law. Thus, through the comparative methodology

between the old and new legislation on local government, we will highlight what are concrete innovations, in

terms of inclusion of citizens in the decision-making, in order to know what to expect from the law. Moreover,

through the examination of the recent studies, we will try to figure out, how the most important municipalities

in Albania such as Tirana and Durrës, are including the citizens in the decision-making processs. In addition

we will look through the public hearings, as a tool of citizen’s participation in the decision-making process, by

analysing the published minutes at the municipalities’ website. Therefore the results will induce to a

comprehensive panorama of good administration at local government in Albania, in terms of citizens’

participation to the decision-making process. Such outcomes will lead to some r ecommendations for future

improvement which are addressed to the public administrators and to the legislators as well.

Keywords: good administration; self-government; local government; Albania

1. The Concept of Good Administration and the Self-Government Law in Albania

As the concept of good administration grown up gradually, it is developed in a wider set of values and

principles regarding different aspects, which covers behavior, actions and decision-making processes

(Kopric, Musa & Novak, 2011). In accordance to SIGMA, the good administration as European idea,

that improved through different historical phases and combined with modern democratic governance,

gave to the citizens the role of active members who can contribute for the development of the society.

Therefore the participation in the decision-making is a condition for democratic and efficient governance

(Sigma, 2012). In accordance to J. Rusch the good administration can be implemented only if the process

of making decisions is promoting citizens’ participation in the decision-making process (Rusch, 2015).

Without doubt, the most significant European document that defines how the self-government should

deal with good administration and specifically with the inclusion of the citizens in the decision-making

process, is the European Charter of Self Government of Council of Europe. Actually, Albania accessed

1 Lecturer, Department of Political Sciences, Aleksandër Moisiu University, Albania, Address: Spitallë, 2000 Durrës, Albania,

Tel: +355 69 21 26, Corresponding author: belinabedini@yaho.it.