Legislative package on local public administration reform discussed with representatives of local authorities’ associations of Moldova

The government is continuing public consultations on the legislative package concerning the reform of local public administration. Today, the legislative proposals were discussed with representatives of the Center for European Local Administration (CALE), the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM), and the Union of District Councils of Moldova (UCRM).

The discussions focused on the main provisions of the legislative package, the new administrative and territorial organization, the division of powers between levels of local public administration, funding mechanisms and the stages of implementing the reform.

Government’s Secretary General Alexei Buzu emphasized that the legislative drafts reflected the results of discussions held over the past few months with representatives of local public administration and aim to create mayor’s office with greater administrative and financial capacity, enabling them to manage complex development projects.

“This is an opportunity to rethink what the mayor’s office of the future will look like and how it will be organized. We want to ensure that mayor’s offices have larger teams, a higher degree of specialization and more resources for the development of local communities. This is all the more important as local authorities will have access to increasing amounts of European funding, while the preparation and implementation of projects will involve increasingly rigorous requirements,” said Alexei Buzu.

The consultations also addressed the transition period to the new administrative and territorial organization. According to the proposals presented, the 2027 general local elections are expected to be organized based on the new administrative structure. Government Secretary General Alexei Buzu noted that the current legislative package represented the first stage of the reform. Subsequently, additional legislative amendments will be drafted, including in the area of local public finances and in sectors where administrative reorganization requires adjustments to the division of powers and the way services are delivered.

A separate topic concerned strengthening the local financial autonomy. The government is working on mechanisms that would allow a larger share of revenues generated by local economic activity to remain in communities’ budgets, as well as on introducing incentives for authorities that succeed in increasing their own revenues.

Measures to support the amalgamation process were also discussed, including financial incentives for the preparation and implementation of infrastructure projects. Another priority addressed was the digitalization of local public administration, which is necessary for integrating registers, improving the efficiency of activities of mayor’s offices and enhancing the services provided to citizens.

During the discussions, representatives of local authorities put forward proposals regarding the reform implementation schedule, the application of the minimum threshold of 3,000 inhabitants, the possibility of exemptions for communities with specific characteristics, as well as legal and financial guarantees for communities. The importance of a well-prepared transition period was also addressed.

Public consultations will continue till November 5, 2026. This week, discussions are also scheduled with representatives of parliamentary factions, extra-parliamentary parties, academia and civil society.

Mayors, local elected officials, civil society representatives and all citizens interested in the future organization of local public administration are invited to participate in the consultation process. The legislative package is available for consultation on www.particip.gov.md (https://shorturl.at/wCM7G and https://shorturl.at/4VZjN). Proposals and recommendations may be submitted during the public consultations, posted as comments directly on the www. particip.gov.md platform, or sent by email to primariiputernice@gov.md.