LIVE // Over 400 mayors gather in Chisinau for Strong Mayoralties – Developed Settlements event

Over 400 mayors from localities that have initiated the voluntary amalgamation process, district heads, members of relevant organizations and external partners are taking part today in the event, Strong Mayoralties – Developed Settlements, held on the Great National Assembly Square (PMAN). Acting Prime Minister of Romania Ilie Bolojan, on a visit to Chișinău, will also attend the event.

The meeting is attended by President Maia Sandu, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu and Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.



Fereastră în fereastră (iframe)

The event is dedicated to the local public administration reform and the strengthening of administrative capacities. Discussions will focus on how the authorities plan to build strong mayoralties capable of attracting external funds, implementing major projects and providing quality services to citizens.

In late last January, the government officially announced the launch of the preparation process for the local public administration reform, as part of efforts to modernize the administration and improve the quality of public services provided to the population. Subsequently, broad consultations on the reform were held with all interested sides, after which the government presented the reform concept.

The parliament has recently approved a decision that simplified the voluntary amalgamation process, as an essential part of the local public administration reform. Thus, localities that choose to merge their administrations will benefit from financial incentives for implementing local development projects. Another benefit of amalgamation is bringing public services closer to citizens – over 600 services will be accessible through Unified Service Delivery Centers and one-stop shops. In addition, each locality will have a representative of the mayor, so that the connection between local administration and the community is maintained.

So far, 663 decisions to initiate the amalgamation process have been approved, covering 767 municipalities and accounting for about 86 per cent of all mayoralties from Moldova.