The head of state emphasized that the reform had been postponed for many years because it was “extremely complicated” and did not bring immediate political dividends. However, she said, maintaining the previous system deprives the settlements of development prospects.
“Postponing the reform means depriving our villages of a chance for development. In Moldova, 87% of mayoralties serve less than 3,000 inhabitants. If we compare the average population per mayor’s office, in Moldova, for example, it is 17 times less than in Lithuania. Large mayoralties are stronger, they have more opportunities and resources to provide quality services to citizens. Statistics clearly shows: municipalities with a population of less than 3,000 people are able to provide water and sewerage services to only 40% of households, while in municipalities with a population of 3,000 to 5,000 people this indicator reaches about 65%. In a small mayor’s office, up to 30% of the local budget is spent on the maintenance of the apparatus itself, while in a mayor’s office with 10,000 inhabitants it is only 10%,” Sandu said in her video message.
The President also added that in small mayoralties only 20% of the local budget is invested in infrastructure, which is half as much as in large administrative units:
“All these data clearly prove: when administrations join forces, the quality of services increases, infrastructure is modernized faster, projects are attracted to localities, and people’s living standards improve. We want to see our towns and villages developed, that is why we encourage mayoralties to unite.”
Maia Sandu called on citizens, mayors and youth to take an active part in the discussion of the reform and to disseminate reliable information about its benefits.
“I call on our youth and those citizens who have seen what modern European cities and villages look like, to tell at home about the advantages of larger mayoralties and help us promote truthful information. I urge all mayors to make decisions that put the interests of their residents and the future of their hometown first. I urge all citizens to participate in decision-making at the local level, because the power is in your hands,” summarized the President.
