Voluntary amalgamation process simplified by Government

The process of voluntary amalgamation of administrative-territorial units will become simpler, more flexible and better adapted to the needs of communities. Amendments that improve this mechanism were approved today by the Government. They were developed following an extensive public consultation process in which over 4,500 mayors and citizens participated.

“We will always stand by local repesentatives who prioritize the well-being of localities and citizens. We will support the creation of Unified Service Delivery Centers, we will work as a team, and we will make sure we offer our citizens a real development perspective,” said Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu.

The new provisions reduce bureaucracy and simplify procedures. To initiate an amalgamation process, a large volume of documents will no longer be required; a brief justification and the list of localities involved will be sufficient. Thus, local authorities will be able to move forward more quickly in this process.

At the same time, communities will have more freedom in decision-making. Localities that decide to merge will be able to establish the administrative center by consensus. This aspect will be discussed by the joint working group, depending on local specifics and interests.

The amendments also remove some restrictions that hindered the process, such as the fixed 25 km distance limit between localities, thereby offering more flexibility in choosing the most suitable solutions for each community.

An important principle remains keeping public services close to citizens. Following amalgamation, people will be able to access public services in their own locality, including through the Unified Service Delivery Center, without having to travel to the administrative headquarters.

In addition, the new rules provide more clarity for local authorities regarding the process timeline. Until the 2027 local elections, no new elections will be held in amalgamated localities, and they will operate in the new format after the ballot.

Through these changes, the Government aims to accelerate the process of voluntary amalgamation and to support the development of stronger communities, capable of providing better public services and greater opportunities for citizens.

So far, two voluntary amalgamation processes have been completed – in the city of Leova and the commune of Călinești. The first group consists of the city of Leova and the villages of Sîrma, Tochile-Răducani, and Sărata-Răzeși, while the second group includes the village of Călinești, the commune of Chetriș, and the village of Hîncești in Fălești district. At the same time, the number of decisions to initiate voluntary amalgamation of mayoralties has tripled since the beginning of the year, with 208 decisions already adopted.