Ungheni municipality, 18 other settlements unite in voluntary amalgamation; Ungheni mayor says largest cluster in Moldova takes shape

The Ungheni municipality, together with 18 other localities and seven neighboring mayor’s offices, is uniting in a process of voluntary amalgamation. The actions aim to raise people’s standard of living, as well as ensure the dynamic development of each locality.

Local authorities assembled at a constitutive meeting of the Working Group for voluntary amalgamation. During the meeting, an initial profile (“passport”) of each mayor’s office was presented. At the same time, the mayors discussed the achievements and problems of the settlements they represent over the past years.

The mayor of Ungheni municipality, Vitalie Vrabie, emphasized that, as a result of the amalgamation, the localities would be stronger and would manage to attract more investments, both in infrastructure and for the implementation of projects that benefit the people.

“Today, we are embarking on a new and necessary path – amalgamation. We are taking these actions with a very clear goal: together we will become stronger and more united. It is a clear sign of maturity, responsibility and mutual trust. Today it is no longer about each of us separately, but about how we can build a common future, with better services, greater investments and real opportunities for each locality and its people,” said Vitalie Vrabie.

The mayor noted that the initiative was supported by the government, including through financial assistance of approximately 135 million lei for the new administrative and territorial unit.

“This money will go into infrastructure, into roads, into modern services. I assure you that not a single village will disappear. Our localities will keep their history, traditions and values. Together, however, we will be a force, a stronger voice, we will have more chances for development; we will become more visible, more present and more respected through our values. I believe in this project, I believe in people and I believe that together we will succeed,” said Vitalie Vrabie.

On 17 February 2026, the Ungheni Municipal Council adopted the decision to initiate the voluntary amalgamation process. This will be followed by decisions of the local councils of the seven mayor’s offices invited to join the amalgamation process: Valea Mare, Morenii Noi, Mănoilești, Unțești, Florițoaia Veche, Zagarancea and Cetireni.

The new administrative and territorial unit will include 19 localities: Ungheni, Valea Mare, Morenii Vechi, Buzduganii de Sus, Buzduganii de Jos, Morenii Noi, Șicovăț, Mănoilești, Vulpești, Rezina, Novaia Nicolaevca, Florițoaia Veche, Florițoaia Nouă, Grozasca, Elizavetovca, Semeni, Zagarancea, Unțești and Cetireni. The total population will reach around 38,900 people, and the total area will be approximately 23,800 hectares.

The local public administration reform establishes a minimum threshold of 3,000 inhabitants for mayor’s offices. By creating larger local public administrations, communities will be able to provide better services, will have the capacity and specialists needed to access external funds and implement large projects, and will dispose of more financial resources to meet local needs. In addition, the number of districts (raioane) will be reduced from 32 to 10.

At present, over 87 per cent of mayor’s offices of Moldova have fewer than 3,000 inhabitants. Only 53 mayor’s offices have more than 5,000 inhabitants, 63 have between 3,000 and 5,000 inhabitants, and 776 have fewer than 3,000 inhabitants.