President Sandu signals shift toward statutory local government consolidation by 2026
The Republic of Moldova is accelerating its administrative-territorial reform, aiming to reduce the number of districts and merge inefficient local town halls. President Maia Sandu recently clarified that while the government prioritizes voluntary mergers, statutory consolidation will become mandatory for localities unable to sustain quality public services.
The reform addresses a critical governance gap where small municipalities spend the majority of their budgets on administrative salaries rather than local development. "Many town halls lack essential specialists," President Sandu stated, noting that the ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for citizens through increased institutional capacity.
Strategic funding and legal timelines
To support this transition, the 2026 state budget has allocated over 173 million MDL (approx. €8.82 million) for the consolidation process. This represents a 100% increase compared to 2025, signaling the government's commitment to the new administrative map.
Government Secretary-General Alexei Buzu confirmed that the final concept for the reform will be ready by early March 2026. The executive branch expects the Parliament to approve the new legal framework by autumn, paving the way for a restructured local administration ahead of the 2027 elections.
Addressing fragmentation
With a population of 2.4 million, Moldova remains one of Europe's most administratively fragmented nations, maintaining nearly 900 town halls and 32 districts. The proposed consolidation will not affect the autonomous status of Gagauzia, ensuring political stability while pursuing economic efficiency.
Currently, only two clusters of localities have finalized the legal procedures for voluntary merging. However, the upcoming legislation will introduce "normative amalgamation" for areas facing significant population decline, ensuring that administrative structures remain viable and service-oriented.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
