Local public administration reform consulted already in 26 districts of Moldova

The government is organizing consultations in all districts of Moldova, in order to finalize the concept of the local public administration reform. This week, the vision of the reform was discussed with local elected officials and citizens in 10 districts and, in 26 districts in total, since the beginning of the consultation period.

Between February 23-37, consultations took place in the districts of Criuleni, Dubasari, Cimislia, Basarabeasca, Briceni, Ocnita, Rezina, Soldanesti, Straseni, and Calarasi. Government representatives presented the main changes that will take place at the level of local public administration, the stages of the reform, and the impact on community development and people’s lives.

The main goal of the reform is to build strong mayoralties that will accelerate the development of localities and bring services closer to people. The participants in the consultation meetings emphasized the importance of open dialogue on the provisions of the reform, so that changes are made together, responsibly, in order to improve the living standards of all people.

At the same time, the government is counting on the voluntary amalgamation of municipalities, because only local elected officials and communities know best how they could unite, strengthen their capacities, and join forces for the future. The government will simplify the process of voluntary amalgamation, will offer more flexibility and more incentives, including financial ones, for the communities that will initiate the process.

During the discussions, the role of the districts in the new structure of local public administration was also addressed: districts must coordinate the activities of cities and villages, and serve as regional platforms for planning, joint procurement and major projects with EU assistance. Since the beginning of February, consultations on the local public administration reform have also taken place in Drochia, Soroca, Nisporeni, Floresti, Sangerei, Cantemir, Cahul, Edinet, Donduseni, Rascani, Glodeni, Anenii Noi, Causeni, Stefan Voda, Hancesti and Ialoveni.

In the first week of March, residents of Leova, Balti, Falesti and Ungheni will be consulted. Also in March, the reform concept is to be presented and will be widely consulted with all interested sides. Only after these consultations, the final concept will be approved and the legislative package will be drafted, in order to be submitted to parliament in next autumn.