Central-Local Government and Relations and Decentralization in Albania

Abstract

Central-Local government relations and decentralization is an ever growing topic today. These two are better achieved through a good relationship between the local and the central governments. A coordinated relation between these two core institutions provides prosperity for the whole country. This paper aims to describe the notion of central-local relations, based on decentralization. It begins by showing the theoretical aspects of the abovementioned concepts of central-local relations and decentralization. The paper continues by giving an overview of these concepts in the Republic of Albania, by giving a snapshot of the historical situation in different periods and different regimes. The aim of this study is to show how the central-local relations have evolved during the years here in Albania and how much this relation has been concerned with decentralization and local self-governance. What did the different governments promise in their programs and how much did they realize their promises? Finally, this study presents some of the problems that the central-local government relation is facing today in Albania. The problem of politicization is presented as one of the most concerning issues which prohibit the advancement of decentralization and jeopardize the relations between the central and local authorities. This study shows how central government interferes into the local authority affairs and violates the principle of local self-governance and autonomy.