Moldovan president says local public administration reform aims at better services, merger of small mayoralties

The local public administration reform planned for this year in Moldova aims to improve the quality of services provided to citizens and includes the merger of some mayoralties with small populations. President Maia Sandu made statements to this effect a TV show today evening.

The head of state explained that one of the main problems of local administrations was the lack of administrative and financial capacity, especially in small localities.

“This reform is about improving the quality of services provided locally. And we know that we do not always manage to provide quality services at the local level, especially because we do not have sufficient capacity,” Maia Sandu said on the TV8 show “Cutia Neagră” (Black Box).

According to the president, many mayoralties face a shortage of specialists and limited budgets for development.

“There are many mayoralties that do not have specialists. And it is very hard to find them. Where localities are very small, the budget goes to the salaries of the mayor’s office staff and practically nothing, or very little, remains for development,” the head of state said.

Maia Sandu noted that one of the solutions being considered was the amalgamation of mayoralties based on the number of inhabitants.

“The proposal is that, starting from a certain number of inhabitants, this amalgamation should be carried out. It is voluntary,” the president said.

According to her, the government is considering offering incentives to localities that choose to merge.

“The government wants to further encourage voluntary amalgamation, by offering certain benefits that would increase the development budget of these localities,” Maia Sandu specified, adding that in some cases mandatory rules could also be established “for those who cannot”.

Referring to the second-tier administrative–territorial organization, the head of state stressed that there is currently no decision regarding the reduction of the number of districts.

“The government is now in a consultation process for both the first and the second levels. After two or three months of consultations, the government will come forward with a proposal,” Maia Sandu said.

The president also said that there are requests from some representatives of local public administration regarding the cutting of the number of districts, but no official decision has been adopted in this regard.

The government has initiated the preparation process for the local public administration reform, the main goal of which is to improve the services provided to citizens, strengthen the capacities of mayoralties and enhance the efficiency in attracting and absorbing European funds.

The reform aims to develop local communities through stronger administrations capable of responding promptly to citizens’ needs and implementing sustainable development projects. The authorities say that a modernized local system will contribute to raising the standard of living and bringing public services closer to citizens.