Moldovan government's secretary general, heads of territorial offices of State Chancellery discuss local public administration reform

The need to reform local public administration, how the main changes will take place, and the importance of effective communication locally today were discussed by Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu and the leadership of the Territorial Offices of the State Chancellery.

“We want to improve local services and help mayoralties manage local and regional affairs as efficiently as possible; to become centers for attracting projects and developing communities, with all the specialists needed for this,” said Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu at the opening of the dialogue.

Representatives of the Territorial Offices highlighted, during the discussions, various aspects related to the voluntary amalgamation of settlements and the changes that will encourage this process: new short- and long-term incentives will be introduced and procedures will be simplified. “The mandate of the district councils must be rethought in the sense of a role focused on regional development. We will have structures with a clearer and stronger mandate and inter-municipal cooperation will be rethought,” Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu also said.

Other topics addressed referred to the structure of mayoralties’ teams and strengthening their capacity to utilize external funds, the delimitation of assets, the digitalization of services and the efficient use of already available tools, expanding the range of services provided by United Centres for Providing Public Services  (CUPS) and strengthening the fiscal capacities of localities.

The secretary general of the government also emphasized the importance of effective communication at the local level, so that there is broad public information about the benefits of the reform and no room left for disinformation. It is worth to be mentioned that, during the previous week, the local public administration reform was discussed with mayors, district presidents and civil society organizations. The broad consultations on the reform will continue during January–February and in March the reform concept will be presented. Throughout the spring, in-depth discussions with citizens will take place, and subsequently the legislative package will be drafted, in order to be submitted to parliament in next autumn.

Proposals related to the reform can be sent to the following address: primariiputernice@gov.md.