Voluntary amalgamation of mayoralties in Moldova: 608 decisions approved by local councils

Local councils of Moldova have approved 608 decisions to initiate voluntary amalgamation. During May 18-22, government representatives continued visiting localities, in order to explain to local elected officials and community members the amalgamation process, the advantages of such a decision and the benefits they will get. Visits were paid to Telenesti, Causeni, Rascani, Floresti, Taraclia, Soldanesti, Cantemir and Cahul.

In the central Telenesti district, 12 localities are merging their mayoralties – Telenesti, Ciulucani, Inesti, Banesti, Budai, Hiriseni, Cisla, Crasnaseni, Chitcanii Vechi, Ratus, Verejeni and Bogzesti. The government will allocate around 92 million lei to the budget of the newly merged mayoralties of these 12 localities, resources that can be used for concrete projects, better public services and community development.

Local councils from Rascani, Saptebani, Recea, Nihoreni, Zaicani, Pociumbauti, Malinovscoe, Braniste and Alunis have also adopted decisions to initiate voluntary amalgamation. At a joint meeting, mayors discussed the amalgamation procedure, the advantages they will gain and the resources they will receive from the government. Additionally, the amalgamation process was initiated by three other mayoralties from the Rascani district – Borosenii Noi, Petruseni and Mihaileni.

In Floresti, a district that has a total of 40 mayoralties, 36 local councils have adopted decisions to initiate voluntary amalgamation.

In the southern Taraclia district, the villages of Albota de Jos, Albota de Sus, Cealic and Balabanu have ruled to move forward together by merging their mayoralties. To improve local infrastructure, they will receive financial incentives of over 13 million lei from the government.

“We know it is not an easy process, but the local public administration reform is a strategic investment in creating a modern, professional and financially strong local administration, capable of absorbing EU pre-accession funds and providing citizens with European-quality public services directly in their communities,” said Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu.

The voluntary amalgamation process has been simplified, as an essential part of the local public administration reform. Localities that choose to merge their administrations will receive financial incentives of 3,000 lei for each inhabitant, multiplied by the population of the villages that amalgamate. Another benefit of amalgamation is bringing public services closer to citizens – more than 600 services will be accessible through Unified Service Provision Centres and the One-Stop Shop. In addition, a representative of the mayor will operate in each settlement, so that the link between local administration and the community is maintained.

More information about the process can be found on the platform www. primariiputernice.gov.md.