Deadline for voluntary amalgamation expires in Moldova on July 31

The deadline for voluntary amalgamation expires on July 31 and it will not be extended. Afterwards, starting from next August, the government will launch the process of normative amalgamation. Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu today made statements to this effect. He emphasized that, as of 2027, no mayoralty would manage public affairs for fewer than 3,000 citizens.

Alexei Buzu said that the July 31 deadline had been communicated from the outset, in the context of the local public administration reform and that it was set based on more criteria that must be observed. The official stressed that the authorities must prepare the draft law that will define the new administrative structure of our country, which is to be subject to public consultation and approved in parliament in next autumn. This is necessary for preparations for the 2027 local elections.

“The July 31 deadline was communicated from the very beginning to everyone and the logic of this deadline is very simple. We are preparing the draft law that will define the new administrative structure of our country. This draft law must comply with all legal requirements; it must go through the consultation procedure; we must get opinions from the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) and from all public institutions. We must also consult with civil society, with representatives of local public authorities. It must reach parliament in next autumn, because one year before the local elections we must know what the new administrative structure will look like in 2027, after the local elections. The CEC needs this law to begin preparations for organizing next year’s local elections. The deadline will not be extended,” said Alexei Buzu after a today’s government meeting.

The secretary general of the government urged communities to adopt decisions in the context of the local public administration reform and to take advantage of the tripled incentives provided by the government. According to him, starting in August, the procedure of normative amalgamation will be initiated for the localities that have fewer than 3,000 citizens and have not opted for the voluntary amalgamation process. Thus, “as of 2027, no mayoralty of Moldova will manage public affairs for fewer than 3,000 citizens.”

“We encourage all local elected officials to make these decisions, to discuss, to take this step. In August, the government will launch the normative amalgamation procedure for those localities that have fewer than 3,000 citizens and have not opted for the amalgamation process, have not opted for the tripled incentives provided by the government, 3,000 lei per capita. There we will consult the citizens, we will present what the options are, we will put the citizens’ interest in the foreground, but after the 2027 elections no mayoralty of Moldova will manage public affairs for fewer than 3,000 citizens,” Alexei Buzu stressed.

The financial incentives granted by the government will be provided starting from 2027, while during the current year projects for infrastructure development, for which the funds will be disbursed, will be drafted.

According to data presented by the authorities, more than one thousand decisions on voluntary amalgamation have been approved so far, which means that about 70 percent of the country’s mayoralties are involved in this process.