Concept of local public administration reform presented in Moldova's parliament

Secretary General of the Government Alexei Buzu today presented in parliament the draft law on local public administration’s (APL) reform. He said that the current system must be changed, as it is affected by excessive fragmentation, depopulation and limited institutional capacities.

The official noted that the draft was the result of extensive consultations held in recent months.

“In the last three months, we have spoken with more than 4,500 mayors, local elected officials and citizens, and following these discussions the government proposed this reform concept,” Buzu said.

He emphasized that, although there are “strong and dedicated” mayors in Moldova, many small mayoralties are unable to meet the needs of their communities.

“We have many small mayoralties caught in a vicious circle of depopulation, a narrow tax base and limited institutional capacity,” Buzu said.

The data presented at the plenary meeting indicate major imbalances.

“Forty per cent of the population lives in 776 mayoralties, while 42 per cent of citizens live in only 26 mayoralties. If there are inequalities in development, this is the spearhead,” the secretary general said.

According to him, in the last 10 years, the population of Moldova has decreased by about 389,000 people, but in localities with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants, the decline has been even more pronounced.

“In these mayoralties, the population has decreased by approximately half a million, that is, twice as much in percentage terms as the national average,” Buzu specified.

At the same time, the official drew attention to infrastructure-related problems.

“Out of 10 families that do not have sewage, 8 are in mayoralties with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants. And 7 out of 10 families without running water are also there,” he noted.

Financially, the situation is equally difficult.

“In small mayoralties, administrative costs are four and a half times higher than own revenues. For each leu collected, we spend another four lei,” Buzu said, stressing that the own revenues of local administrations had decreased in real terms in recent years.

In the context, the secretary general of the government described the reform as inevitable.

“This reform is not only necessary; it is long overdue. Any delay is an act of profound irresponsibility towards the citizens,” he said.

The draft proposes simplifying the process of voluntary amalgamation of mayoralties, including the removal of certain bureaucratic barriers.

“We removed the 25-kilometer distance criterion, offered flexibility in choosing the administrative center and simplified the consultation and voting procedures,” Buzu said.

Local elected officials will also be able to complete their mandates, even if they initiate the amalgamation process.

“We listened to the mayors and made the process more flexible and less bureaucratic,” the official said.

A central element of the reform is the establishment of a minimum threshold of 3,000 inhabitants for the functioning of a mayoralty.

“After the 2027 local elections, we will no longer have mayoralties with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants. This is the minimum threshold to ensure quality services,” Buzu said.

The government also proposes reducing the number of districts from 32 to 10 and redefining their role.

“Districts must become regional development centers, able to manage large projects and attract European funds,” he also said.

The reform includes measures to modernize local administration, such as the digitalization of services, the introduction of a one-stop shop and the creation of specialized teams in public procurement, audit and project management.

“We do not have enough specialists and one of the biggest problems reported by mayors is related to public procurement. If we do not solve this problem, we risk missing important projects,” Buzu warned.

At the same time, the official said that unified service delivery centers would be created in each amalgamated mayoralty, in order to ensure citizens’ access.

“We will not send people on long journeys. Services will be closer to citizens, not further away,” the secretary general said.

According to him, more than 320 local councils have already initiated amalgamation procedures, which proves the openness of local authorities to the reform.

“We must provide our strong mayors with strong mayoralties. This is what this reform is about,” Alexei Buzu concluded.