Moldova debates merging municipalities: Cooperation vs. Amalgamation
While the voluntary merging of municipalities is one avenue to improve living conditions in Moldova, it shouldn't be the sole focus, argue representatives of the Congress of Local Authorities of Moldova (CALM).
They suggest cooperation between existing municipalities as a viable alternative. However, experts insist that amalgamation is crucial for local development, urging authorities to continue the reform process.
Viorel Furdui, executive director of CALM, acknowledges the need for local public administration reform but cautions against overreliance on amalgamation. "It can be an effective tool in certain cases, but there are other ways to improve the situation, like different forms of cooperation. Ultimately, amalgamation itself is a form of collaboration between multiple municipalities," he emphasised.
Expert Stas Madan paints a stark picture of rural Moldova, with nearly half of its localities housing under 1,500 residents. He argues that these small villages are crippled by their limited budgets, hindering crucial development projects and quality service provision. "Most of their resources go towards public sector salaries, leaving little for anything else," he explains. This scenario, fueled by mass rural exodus, makes amalgamation not just an option but a necessity for Madan, "a way to save these communities."
Currently, Moldova boasts around 900 municipalities serving a population of 2.5 million. The government's planned administrative reform aims to achieve amalgamation voluntarily over the coming years. The new administrative-territorial units would require a minimum population of 3,000 and sufficient resources to support at least 12 employees.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
