Parliament Simplifies the Procedure for the Voluntary Amalgamation of Localities

The process of voluntarily merging administrative-territorial units has been simplified and adapted to the needs of local communities following the adoption of the relevant bill by parliament today. The document was revised following consultations with mayors and citizens and provides for a reduction in bureaucracy in the amalgamation procedure. Consequently, fewer documents will be required to initiate the process: a brief justification and a list of the settlements involved will suffice, reports moldpres.md. The new provisions give settlements greater flexibility in choosing the administrative center and the name of the new administrative-territorial unit. At the same time, the decision on amalgamation can be taken by a majority vote of elected councilors, and the fixed 25 km limit between settlements has been removed. The draft also stipulates that public services will be maintained at the local level, including through one-stop service centers, so that residents are not forced to travel to the town hall located in the administrative center of the new unit. Furthermore, no early elections will be held in the merged settlements until the 2027 local elections. According to the drafters, the aim of the changes is to create stronger local administrations and develop communities. To date, voluntary amalgamation processes have been completed in Leova and in the commune of Calinesti in the Falesti district. According to the explanatory note, interest in this mechanism is growing: 298 municipalities have expressed their intention to initiate the voluntary amalgamation process.