Deadline to initiate voluntary amalgamation of Moldova's localities expires on July 31

Today is the last day on which local public administration authorities can initiate the process of voluntary amalgamation of mayoralties. The government has announced that the July 31 deadline would not be extended, and starting in August the stage of normative amalgamation will start for localities that have not opted for this procedure.

Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu will hold a press conference today at 14:00, in the context of the deadline set for the voluntary amalgamation of mayoralties.

The parliament has recently approved an amendment stipulating that mayoralties which initiate decisions on voluntary amalgamation by July 31 will be able to finalize the process by September 1.

Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu has earlier said that, starting in August, the cabinet of ministers would launch the process of normative amalgamation for mayoralties with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants that have not chosen the voluntary path. As part of this process, consultations will be held with citizens and local authorities.

Data presented this week by Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu shows that approximately 85 percent of mayoralties from Moldova have initiated the process of voluntary amalgamation. At the same time, the authorities have identified about 200 mayoralties that have not opted for this approach. The process of normative amalgamation will begin for these settlements in next August.

According to the authorities, after the 2027 general local elections, no mayoralty  of Moldova will manage public affairs for a population of fewer than 3,000 inhabitants.

The local public administration reform was launched by the government at the beginning of 2026 and aims to strengthen the administrative capacity of mayoralties and improve public services. Localities that choose voluntary amalgamation benefit from increased financial incentives, which will be invested in the development of localities and the consolidation of services for citizens.