New concept for reorganizing local administration discussed with district presidents, mayors of cities from Moldova

The concept for reorganizing second-level local public administration, presented by the government today, was discussed with the district presidents and mayors of the cities from Moldova. The discussions were attended by Prime Minister Vasile Tofan, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and Secretary-General of the Government Alexei Buzu.

PM Vasile Tofan emphasized that the vision presented was the starting point for consultations and encouraged representatives of local authorities to submit concrete comments and proposals, so that the final solutions address the realities of communities.

“We must take into account the realities of Moldova. We need stronger mayoralties with greater capacity to solve people’s problems, as well as more efficient public administration at all levels. If we do not change certain things, we will not succeed as a country. Therefore, we must find the best solutions together,” declared Prime Minister Vasile Tofan.

Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu noted that the reform must be prepared this year, so that the new administrative organization is clear before the next electoral cycle, without affecting the mandates of current local elected officials.

“We must provide predictability for local elected officials and our citizens. At the same time, the main rule is that services, institutions and assets remain where they are. Funding must follow the services and the assets that will be transferred,” said  Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu.

Secretary-General of the Government Alexei Buzu presented how responsibilities would be redistributed among mayoralties, future regions, and the territorial structures of the central public administration, emphasizing that the main objective of the reform is to strengthen mayoralties.

“The central pillar of the reform is the mayoralties, and our objective is for every mayoralty to succeed. We want mayoralties with greater capacity, more resources, and more powers to respond to the needs of their communities. The regions will have a more limited mandate: to support cooperation among localities, establish regional development priorities and prepare large-scale projects, including for attracting funding. The services which people need on a daily basis must remain as close to them as possible,” declared Secretary-General of the Government Alexei Buzu.

Mayors and district presidents expressed their support for the need for reform and for strengthening local public administration, while also submitting proposals on how it should be implemented. The discussions focused on the transfer of powers, assets, and financial resources to mayoralties, fiscal decentralization, the demarcation of property, the continuity of voluntary amalgamation, the role of future regions and the transition mechanism.

Also today, the concept for reorganizing local public administration was discussed with development partners and representatives of civil society. The discussions focused on the main proposed changes, the objectives of the reform and the process of implementing the new administrative organization.

According to the Concept, the current 32 districts are to be reorganized into three regions–North, Centre, and South, while the current Taraclia District will become a second-level municipality. Chisinau and Balti will keep their current status, while the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia will retain its special status.

The concept for reorganizing second-level local public administration can be accessed here: https://shorturl.at/Ifvww