This is the latest data on the voluntary merger process of first-tier local governments provided by the State Chancellery.
According to Aleksei Buzu, secretary-general of the government, the intentions of these mayoralties are an “encouraging result” that shows that the reform is moving in the right direction. The authorities hope that their number will increase by the summer, when the voluntary association will be finalized. The process will then turn into a compulsory one.
Such a reform is necessary because today more than half of the mayoralties in Moldova serve less than 1500 inhabitants. This makes it difficult to attract investments, implement large infrastructure projects and provide quality public services, the government emphasizes.
If you don’t want to do it, we will make you do it
The unification of mayoralties will become mandatory from the second half of this year. The authorities will establish a framework and criteria on the basis of which decisions on compulsory unification will be made.
It will affect settlements that have not started the process of voluntary merger, although their population does not reach the minimum threshold established by law. For voluntary amalgamation it is 3,000 inhabitants, and in exceptional cases – 2,700.
So far, the upcoming reform of local public administration continues to be discussed. At the end of the week, consultations were held at the level of parliamentary factions. There will be a discussion on this issue with extra-parliamentary parties as well.
In March, after the consultations are completed, the concept of the reform will be presented and a legislative package will be elaborated, which may be submitted to the Parliament already this fall.
At the same time, the authorities are preparing legislative amendments to eliminate the need to hold new elections in united villages and communes.
