Territorial reform, local autonomy under spotlight of Council of Europe; recommendations for Moldova

The Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, which has convened in Strasbourg, encouraged Moldova’s authorities to continue implementing the reforms’ agenda aimed at strengthening local democracy, within a monitoring report on the enforcement of the European Charter of Local Self-Government.

The rapporteurs of the Congress, Gudrun Mosler-Törnström (Austria) and Urs Janett (Switzerland), appreciated the progress made by Moldova in implementing the Congress’ Recommendation 436 from 2019, including improved collaboration between central and local authorities; measures for strengthening fiscal decentralization; better working conditions for local elected representatives; more balanced and proportional administrative oversight.

At the same time, the rapporteurs welcomed the government's commitment to continue territorial reforms, in order to overcome the fragmentation of local administration through the Public Administration Reform Strategy 2023-2030 and facilitate local authorities' access to financing for investments in infrastructure through the Local Investment Fund.

Nevertheless, the rapporteurs identified more structural and functional problems, such as overlapping or unclear local competences; limited financial autonomy; inadequate demarcation of municipal lands; excessive administrative burden due to multiple control bodies; lack of qualified administrative and legal staff.

The Congress recommended that Moldovan authorities advance the decentralization process and continue territorial reform; review and clarify the local competences system; strengthen the regulatory framework concerning the consultation of local authorities; allocate appropriate financial resources and increase the fiscal capacity of localities; provide more freedom to local authorities in adapting activities to local conditions; simplify and standardize reporting requirements to reduce bureaucracy; sign and ratify the Additional Protocol to the European Charter of Local Self-Government regarding the right to participate in local administration.

Moldova ratified the European Charter of Local Self-Government in 1997 and the Congress ensures the respect of its principles through monitoring activities, thus guaranteeing the fundamental rights of local autonomy.

After the parliamentary elections held on September 28, 2025, the parliament speaker said that the territorial and administrative reform must ensure that services are as close to the people as possible, noting that the authorities must present, by early 2027, the best solution for carrying out the reform.

Igor Grosu added that the administrative reform had been discussed at all meetings he attended during the election campaign. According to him, reform is inevitable, although it may seem unpopular.