VIDEO // Over 85 per cent of mayoralties initiate voluntary amalgamation; Moldovan president welcomes local authorities’ courageous decisions: “You put people’s interests first”

Over 85 per cent of all mayoralties have started the voluntary amalgamation process. More than 400 mayoralties have already adopted final decisions and the communities will benefit from financial resources that will be allocated for the most urgent local needs. President Maia Sandu today made statements to this effect, who thanked local elected officials for having “put people’s interests first.”

The head of state praised the involvement of local elected officials in the amalgamation process and noted that they had taken courageous and responsible decisions.

“You have begun a difficult process: the merger of your mayoralty with neighboring mayoralties. This shows that you and the local councilors have put people’s interests first, not positions. The fact that you managed to convince local residents, to find common ground with neighboring administrations, to overcome obstacles and emotions, proves wisdom, responsibility and strength,” said Maia Sandu.

The president offered an encouraging message to the roughly 200 mayoralties that are in the final stage and will be able to complete the process by the end of August.

“Sometimes, the last hundred meters are the hardest. That is why, our colleagues of  the government will provide every support needed for you to succeed,” the official stressed.

Maia Sandu also addressed local elected officials from about 160 other mayoralties where the process has stalled and negotiations have stopped.

“I ask you not to be discouraged. It is important to persevere, to be the leaders who will be remembered in history for courage and vision. If we think only about today, it may seem that things can continue as they are. But if we think about tomorrow, about the future of our communities, we have a duty to do everything possible to offer them a better development perspective,” the Moldovan president said.

The head of state noted that mayoralties that have not voluntarily decided to merge their administrations would be amalgamated by law.

“I regret that there are a few dozen municipalities that refused to join the voluntary merger of administrations and will follow the normative path, and the residents of those villages will not benefit from the financial resources offered by the government. The state will not leave anyone behind; all citizens deserve a good standard of living. However, citizens must know that mayoralties which have not voluntarily decided to merge their administrations will be amalgamated by law, without financial incentives and without the possibility to choose the mayoralties with which they merge,” Maia Sandu specified.

The president urged mayors and local councilors not to fear difficult decisions, stressing that a true leader acts in the interest of the community, even when measures are unpopular.

“Dear mayors, dear local councilors! I understand that it is hard to make decisions that may seem unpopular for the moment. I know this from my own experience—sometimes I also have to make unpopular but necessary decisions for the entire country. You are accountable to more thousand people, and your true strength lies in your ability to do what is right. A true leader does not seek instant applause, but has the courage to convince people to move forward,” Maia Sandu concluded.

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 local development and in strengthening services for citizens.

The voluntary amalgamation process ended on July 31, and starting in August, the government will launch the normative amalgamation process.