Moldovan government's secretary general says 376 amalgamation decisions adopted locally; parliament simplifies procedure

Chisinau, April 25 – The authorities are counting on accelerating the process of voluntary amalgamation of administrative and territorial units, after the parliament has adopted a law simplifying the legal framework. According to the secretary general of the government, 376 decisions to initiate amalgamation have already been adopted locally and the new amendments will facilitate the administrative reorganization of settlements.

“We already have 376 decisions to initiate amalgamation adopted at local level. The simplification of amalgamation, voted by the parliament today, will help mayoralties complete this process more easily, merge their administrations and benefit from three times more money from the state budget for infrastructure. The government will guide and support the localities throughout this process,” Buzu said.

The process of voluntary amalgamation of administrative and territorial units was simplified after the parliament had adopted a draft law to this effect on April 24. According to the authorities, the amendments reduce bureaucracy and provide more flexibility to local communities, with the aim of consolidating administrations and developing infrastructure.

Under the new provisions, initiating the process will require fewer documents – a brief justification and the list of localities involved will be sufficient. Local authorities will also have greater freedom in choosing the administrative center and the name of the new unit and the decision on amalgamation may be adopted with the vote of a majority of elected councilors.

Another important element is the removal of the fixed 25-kilometer limit between localities, which provides more flexibility in the process of administrative reorganization.

The draft law also stipulates that public services will be maintained at local level, including through unified service delivery centers, so that citizens are not required to travel to the new administrative center. At the same time, no early elections will be organized in amalgamated settlements before the 2027 local elections.

The authors of the document say that the amendments aim to create stronger local administrations and develop communities, given that the current system is affected by excessive fragmentation, depopulation and limited institutional capacities.

According to official data, voluntary amalgamation processes have already been completed in Leova district and in Calinesti commune, Falesti district, and interest continues to grow, with hundreds of communities expressing their intention to follow this model.