Consultations on local public administration reform continue at Moldova's parliament

The legislative package on local public administration reform—including the country’s territorial reorganization, improved access to services, the future financing model for mayor’s offices and other aspects of the reform— today was discussed by the parliament’s commission for public administration and regional development.

Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu presented the main provisions of the draft laws and the stages of the reform’s implementation. “We have a common goal. We want to build stronger mayor’s offices, with specialized teams capable of implementing major projects for their communities and providing better services for people. This is an important reform, and we understand that there are not always solutions that satisfy everyone. That is why, our commitment is to discuss with everyone, listen to proposals and find the most appropriate solutions for communities,” said Alexei Buzu.

The first legislative package addresses two main components: administrative and territorial reorganization and the clarification of the responsibilities of first- and second-level local public administration authorities.

According to the proposals presented, the new administrative and territorial organization would include three regions, while a demographic threshold of 3,000 inhabitants is proposed to strengthen mayor’s offices. An important topic of the discussions concerned the continuity of public services during the transition period. Alexei Buzu emphasized that administrative reorganization must not force citizens and entrepreneurs to travel longer distances to access the services they need. In this regard, the government is working to expand the network of Unified Service Delivery Centers (CUPS) and to develop the concept of a mayor’s representative in amalgamated localities, who will ensure the connection between the community and the local administration.

At the same time, the reform provides for redefining the role of regional administration, with an emphasis on strategic planning, regional development and cooperation between localities. Responsibilities for directly delivering services are to be transferred to the authorities or institutions that can manage them closer to citizens.

During the consultations, MPs asked questions about the criteria for establishing the new administrative and territorial units, the possibility of adjusting their configuration, local administration financing, the distribution of responsibilities, and how consultations had been conducted in the regions.

The secretary general of the government said that analyses and modelling were underway to develop a new local public finance system, so that mayor’s offices can benefit more from the resources generated by the local economy. In parallel, staffing structures, digitalization needs and measures to prepare the transition to the new local authorities are being examined.

Today, the State Chancellery also held consultations on the legislative package with representatives of extra-parliamentary parties and civil society organizations. In parallel, public consultations organized in the country’s districts continue, with the participation of mayors, local councillors, representatives of district authorities and community members.

The State Chancellery aims to incorporate everyone’s contributions and maintain an open dialogue with all stakeholders, so that decisions concerning the reorganization of local public administration take into account realities on the ground and citizens’ needs. The legislative package is available for consultation at www.particip.gov.md – https://shorturl.at/wCM7G and https://shorturl.at/4VZjN.